infinitive(n = noun.communication) - the uninflected form of the verb;
is a kind of verb
has particulars: split infinitive
Derived form adjective infinitival1
Unlimited; not bounded or restricted; undefined. [1913 Webster]
"With the auxiliary verbs may, can, must, might, could, would, and should, the simple infinitive is expressed without to; as, you may speak; they must hear, etc. The infinitive usually omits to with the verbs let, dare, do, bid, make, see, hear, need, etc.; as, let me go; you dare not tell; make him work; hear him talk, etc." [1913 Webster]
" In Anglo-Saxon, the simple infinitive was not preceded by to (the sign of modern simple infinitive), but it had a dative form (sometimes called the gerundial infinitive) which was preceded by to, and was chiefly employed in expressing purpose. See
"The gerundial ending (-anne) not only took the same form as the simple infinitive (-an), but it was confounded with the present participle in -ende, or -inde (later -inge)." [1913 Webster]
An infinitive form of the verb; a verb in the infinitive mood; the infinitive mood. [1913 Webster]
In the manner of an infinitive mood. [1913 Webster]
infinitive, n. & adj.
--n. a form of a verb expressing the verbal notion without reference to a particular subject, tense, etc. (e.g. see in we came to see, let him see).
--adj. having this form.
Derivative:
infinitival adj. infinitivally adv.
Etymology:
L infinitivus (as IN-(1), finitivus definite f. finire finit- define)