Gerund \Ger"und\, n. [L. gerundium, fr. gerere to bear, carry,
perform. See Gest a deed, Jest.]
(Lat. Gram.)
[1913 Webster]
1. A kind of verbal noun, having only the four oblique cases
of the singular number, and governing cases like a
participle.
[1913 Webster]
2. In Modern English, the -ing form of a verb, when
functioning as a noun; as, running is good for the heart.
[PJC]
3. (AS. Gram.) A verbal noun ending in -e, preceded by to and
usually denoting purpose or end; -- called also the
dative infinitive; as, "Ic h[ae]bbe mete t[^o] etanne"
(I have meat to eat.).
[1913 Webster]
Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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Gerund \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 h[ae]bbe mete t[^o] 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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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