Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
gerundive
Noun
/ˈdʒɛr.ən.daɪv/
Definition
A gerundive is a verbal adjective that expresses necessity or obligation and typically indicates the need for an action to be done.
Examples
- The gerundive ‘legend’ in ‘the legend to be told’ indicates that the story must be told.
- In Latin, verbs can take a gerundive form to express what is needing to be done, as in ‘amare’ (to love) becomes ‘amandus’ (to be loved).
Meaning
In grammatical terms, a gerundive is related to a gerund but functions as an adjective, often used in Latin and some other languages to show that something must be done.
Synonyms
- verbal adjective
- infinitive adjective
- necessitative
