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participle

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Definition of participle

noun

Grammar
  • a word formed from a verb (e.g. going, gone, being, been) and used as an adjective (e.g. working woman, burnt toast) or a noun (e.g. good breeding). In English participles are also used to make compound verb forms (e.g. is going, has been). Compare with gerund.

Derivatives

participial

Pronunciation: /-ˈsɪpɪəl/
adjective

participially

Pronunciation: /-ˈsɪpɪəli/
adverb

Origin:

late Middle English: from Old French, by-form of participe, from Latin participium '(verbal form) sharing (the functions of a noun)', from participare 'share in'

participle in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of participle in the US English dictionary
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