participle meaning: definition, etymology

participle

noun

UK /pɑːˈtɪsɪpəl/ · US /ˈpɑɹtɪˌsɪpəl/

Etymology From Middle English participle, from Old French participle (1388), variant of participe, from Latin participium.

Grammar, Human sciences, Linguistics, Sciences A form of a verb that may function as an adjective, noun or adverb. English has two types of participles: the present participle and the past participle. In other languages, there are others, such as future, perfect, and future perfect participles.

Derived terms: gerund-participle
Hypernyms: verbal
Hyponyms: active participle, adverbial participle, agent participle, dangling participle, future participle, gerund-participle, hanging participle, past active participle, past participle, perfect participle, perfect passive participle, present active participle, present participle, verbal participle