ˈvə:bəl adj., n., & v. --adj. 1 of or
concerned with words (made a verbal distinction). 2
oral,
not written (gave a verbal statement). 3 Gram. of or in
the nature of a
verb (verbal inflections). 4
literal (a verbal translation). 5
talkative,
articulate. --n. 1 Gram. a a verbal
noun. b a
word or words functioning as a verb. 2 sl. a verbal
statement,
esp.
one made to the
police. 3 sl. an
insult;
abuse (gave
them the verbal). --v.tr. (verballed, verballing)
Brit. sl.
attribute a damaging statement to (a suspect). øverbal noun Gram. a noun formed as an
inflection of a verb
and partly sharing
its constructions (e.g. smoking in smoking is forbidden: see -ING(1)). øøverbally adv. [ME f. F verbal or LL verbalis (as VERB)]