Ger"und (?), n. [L. gerundium, fr. gerere to bear, carry, perform. See Gest a deed, Jest.] (Lat. Gram.)

1. A kind of verbal noun, having only the four oblique cases of the singular number, and governing cases like a participle.

2. (AS. Gram.) A verbal noun ending in -e, preceded by to and usually denoting purpose or end; -- called also the dative infinitive; as, "Ic hæbbe mete tô etanne" (I have meat to eat.) In Modern English the name has been applied to verbal or participal nouns in -ing denoting a transitive action; e. g., by throwing a stone.

• (grammar): a verbal form that functions as a verbal noun. (In English, a gerund has the same spelling as a present participle, but functions differently.)
       Example: Walking is good exercise.
  
• (grammar): In some languages such as Italian or Russian, a verbal form similar to a present participle, but functioning as an adverb. These words are sometimes referred to as conjunctive participles.
       Example: Нельзя переходить улицу читая газету. — One shouldn't cross a street while reading a newspaper.