In*fin"i*tive (?), n. [L.
infinitivus: cf. F. infinitif. See Infinite.]
Unlimited; not bounded or restricted; undefined.
Infinitive mood (Gram.), that form of
the verb which merely names the action, and performs the office of a
verbal noun. Some grammarians make two forms in English: (a)
The simple form, as, speak, go, hear, before
which to is commonly placed, as, to speak; to
go; to hear. (b) The form of the imperfect
participle, called the infinitive in -ing; as, going is
as easy as standing.
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.
&fist; 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
Gerund, 2.
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).
In*fin"i*tive, n. (Gram.)
An infinitive form of the verb; a verb in the infinitive mood;
the infinitive mood.
In*fin"i*tive, adv. (Gram.)
In the manner of an infinitive mood.
