DictionaryRoot: verbum
Latin
verbum
word
Forms
- verbum
- verb- — Used before other endings.
Origin
An ancient Indo-European word, related to English word.
Note
Its use for a particular class of words is a specialization of the broader meaning.
6 / 9
adjective
verbal
VER-bul/ˈvɜːrbl/
Relating to words, especially spoken language.
Etymology
The pieces mean “relating to words,” with verbum retaining its broad meaning rather than just the grammatical one. This general relationship to language also developed the more specific sense “expressed in spoken words.”