ver|bal

ver|bal «VUR buhl», adjective, noun, verb, -balled, -bal|ling.

–adj.

1. in words; of words: »

A description is a verbal picture.

2. expressed in spoken words; oral: »

a verbal promise, a verbal message.

3. having to do with or affecting words only, rather than things, realities, or context: »

a verbal correction not affecting the idea in the sentence.

4. word for word; literal: »

a verbal translation from the French.

SYNONYM(S): verbatim.

5. a) having to do with a verb. Two common verbal endings are -ed and -ing. b) derived from a verb: »

a verbal adjective.

c) resembling a verb in function or meaning.

–n.

1. a word, particularly a noun or adjective, derived from a verb. Gerunds and participles are verbals.

2. Linguistics. a word or group of words that functions as a verb.

3. Especially British Slang. an alleged admission of guilt by a defendant at the time of arrest: »

I am very troubled by the danger that a man may be convicted on verbals, to use the slang, which he never uttered at all (Lord Chief Justice Widgery).

–v.t.

Especially British Slang. to induce or cause to make an admission of guilt at the time of arrest: »

He said…that he had been verballed before by the police and that on this occasion he would on no account make any statement (London Times).

╂[< Latin verbālis < verbum; see etym. under verb (Cf. ↑verb)]

Usage See oral for usage note. (Cf. ↑oral)