Verbal — Definition, Word History, and First Known Use
Explicitly identifies base and suffix.
Etymology: Late Latin verbalis from verbum + -alis- AUTHOR / EDITOR
- Merriam-Webster Editors
- YEAR
- 2026
- PUBLISHER
- Merriam-Webster
PERMANENT DISPUTE RECORD
ALL DISPUTES ↗One scholarly question. Every attached source. The present editorial state, without pretending the last word has been written.
No. Latin -alis is a derivational component of verbalis; the lexical base verbum and the suffix have separate graph branches.
/ˈvɜːrbəl/ · adjective
Of, relating to, or consisting of words; also of verbs and, in one modern contrast, spoken rather than written.
DIRECT CLAIM EVIDENCE
A citation is not a vote. Each record says whether the work supports, challenges, contradicts, or contextualizes the position—and identifies the exact locus used.
Explicitly identifies base and suffix.
Etymology: Late Latin verbalis from verbum + -alisSupplies the separately reviewed affix branch.
-al suffix history ending in Latin -alisThe main ancestry follows verbum while a canonical component edge exposes -alis.