gerundive

[juh-ruhn-div]

noun

1. (in Latin) a verbal adjective similar to the gerund in form and noting the obligation, necessity, or worthiness of the action to be done, as legendus in Liber legendus est, “The book is worth reading.”

adjective

1. resembling a gerund.

gerundive

/ ˌdʒɛrənˈdaɪvəl, dʒɪˈrʌndɪv /

noun

1. (in Latin grammar) an adjective formed from a verb, expressing the desirability of the activity denoted by the verb

adjective

1. of or relating to the gerund or gerundive

Other Word Forms

• gerundival adjective
• gerundively adverb
• nongerundive adjective
• nongerundively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of gerundive¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Late Latin word gerundīvus. See gerund, -ive

Word History and Origins

Origin of gerundive¹

C17: from Late Latin gerundīvus, from gerundium _gerund

Example Sentences

“You see——” “Will you or will you not answer my question?” snapped the instructor, in the same tone of voice he used in the classroom, when some luckless lad was stuttering and stammering over the difference between the gerund and the gerundive.

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With the genitive of the G. future passive participle, cālavā-nō, we have a kind of gerundive, as in hũ cālavānō chũ, I am to be gone, i.e.

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Dink Stover, later to win fame at Yale, carried his whole Latin class by signalling with a pair of mobile ears whenever The Roman, their teacher, asked his favorite question, "Gerund or gerundive?"

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Gerundive participle in Sanskrit, 95.

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Gerundive participle in Sanskrit, iv.

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