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Participle: meaning, definitions and examples

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participle

 

[ ˈpɑːrtɪsɪpəl ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

grammar term

A participle is a form of a verb that functions as an adjective, describing a noun or pronoun. In English, there are two types of participles: present participles, which end in -ing, and past participles, often ending in -ed, -en, or irregular forms. Participles can also be used to form various verb tenses, including the perfect and the continuous aspects. For example, in the sentence 'The running water is cold,' 'running' is a present participle modifying 'water.' Participles are fundamental in English grammar and contribute to conveying actions or states related to subjects.

Synonyms

adjectival form, verb form

Examples of usage

  • The burned toast was inedible.
  • She looked stunning in her dancing dress.
  • The broken toy was on the shelf.

Translations

Translations of the word "participle" in other languages:

🇵🇹 particípio

🇮🇳 कृदंत

🇩🇪 Partizip

🇮🇩 partisip

🇺🇦 дієприкметник

🇵🇱 imiesłów

🇯🇵 分詞 (ぶんし)

🇫🇷 participe

🇪🇸 participio

🇹🇷 ortaç

🇰🇷 분사 (bunsa)

🇸🇦 اسم الفاعل

🇨🇿 přídavné jméno

🇸🇰 prídavné meno

🇨🇳 分词 (fēncí)

🇸🇮 deležnik

🇮🇸 particípa

🇰🇿 есімшарт

🇬🇪 მხოლოდობა (mkholodoba)

🇦🇿 feil

🇲🇽 participio

Etymology

The term 'participle' comes from the Latin word 'participle', derived from 'participium', which means 'to share' or 'to partake'. This reflects the participle's dual nature in grammar, as it 'shares' attributes of both verbs and adjectives. The Latin word 'participare' itself combines 'pars', meaning 'part', and 'capere', meaning 'to seize'. This historical background hints at the participle's role in the structure of sentences, capturing both action (as a verb) and description (as an adjective). Over time, the use of participles has evolved in various languages, maintaining their core function but adapting to new grammatical frameworks. In English, the participle's importance has been reinforced throughout the evolution of the language, especially with the introduction of complex verb forms during the Middle English period.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,844, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.