Verbal noun

Verbal Ver"bal, a. [F., fr. L. verbalis. See {Verb}.] 1. Expressed in words, whether spoken or written, but commonly in spoken words; hence, spoken; oral; not written; as, a verbal contract; verbal testimony. [1913 Webster]

Made she no verbal question? --Shak. [1913 Webster]

We subjoin an engraving . . . which will give the reader a far better notion of the structure than any verbal description could convey to the mind. --Mayhew. [1913 Webster]

2. Consisting in, or having to do with, words only; dealing with words rather than with the ideas intended to be conveyed; as, a verbal critic; a verbal change. [1913 Webster]

And loses, though but verbal, his reward. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

Mere verbal refinements, instead of substantial knowledge. --Whewell. [1913 Webster]

3. Having word answering to word; word for word; literal; as, a verbal translation. [1913 Webster]

4. Abounding with words; verbose. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]

5. (Gram.) Of or pertaining to a verb; as, a verbal group; derived directly from a verb; as, a verbal noun; used in forming verbs; as, a verbal prefix. [1913 Webster]

{Verbal inspiration}. See under {Inspiration}.

{Verbal noun} (Gram.), a noun derived directly from a verb or verb stem; a verbal. The term is specifically applied to infinitives, and nouns ending in -ing, esp. to the latter. See {Gerund}, and {-ing}, 2. See also, {Infinitive mood}, under {Infinitive}. [1913 Webster]