verbal

a. [ F., fr. L. verbalis. See Verb. ] 1. Expressed in words, whether spoken or written, but commonly in spoken words; hence, spoken; oral; not written; as, a verbal contract; verbal testimony. [ 1913 Webster ]

Made she no verbal question? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

We subjoin an engraving . . . which will give the reader a far better notion of the structure than any verbal description could convey to the mind. Mayhew. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Consisting in, or having to do with, words only; dealing with words rather than with the ideas intended to be conveyed; as, a verbal critic; a verbal change. [ 1913 Webster ]

And loses, though but verbal, his reward. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Mere verbal refinements, instead of substantial knowledge. Whewell. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Having word answering to word; word for word; literal; as, a verbal translation. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Abounding with words; verbose. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Gram.) Of or pertaining to a verb; as, a verbal group; derived directly from a verb; as, a verbal noun; used in forming verbs; as, a verbal prefix. [ 1913 Webster ]

Verbal inspiration. See under Inspiration. --
Verbal noun (Gram.), a noun derived directly from a verb or verb stem; a verbal. The term is specifically applied to infinitives, and nouns ending in -ing, esp. to the latter. See Gerund, and -ing, 2. See also, Infinitive mood, under Infinitive. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Something expressed verbally; a verbal remark or expression. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A literal adherent to, or a minute critic of, words; a literalist. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being verbal; mere words; bare literal expression. [ R. ] “More verbality than matter.” Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of verbalizing, or the state of being verbalized. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Verbalized p. pr. & vb. n. Verbalizing ] [ Cf. F. verbaliser. ] 1. To convert into a verb; to verbify. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To express in words. [ PJC ]

v. i. To be verbose. [ 1913 Webster ]