gerundive

American  

[juh-ruhn-div] / dʒəˈrʌn dɪv /

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.”

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adjective

1. resembling a gerund.

gerundive British  

/ ˌdʒɛrənˈdaɪvəl, dʒɪˈrʌndɪv /

noun

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

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adjective

1. of or relating to the gerund or gerundive

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of gerundive

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

Example Sentences

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?"

From Time Magazine Archive

He hesitated for a moment, debating whether to allow him to retire with the honors, but his curiosity proving strong he said: "And now, Lentz, third line, second word—gerund or gerundive?"

From The Varmint by Gruger, Frederic Rodrigo

The last would seem to be a gerundive form, implying that a man at the end of his fourth year ought to be made a Master of Arts; but unfortunately this does not always happen. 

From The Scarlet Gown being verses by a St. Andrews Man by Murray, Robert F. (Robert Fuller)

Go down to the next paragraph and recognize a gerundive.

From The Varmint by Gruger, Frederic Rodrigo

"Well, if you have, how are you going to spot the gerund and the gerundive?"

From The Varmint by Gruger, Frederic Rodrigo