gerund

[jer-uh nd] /ˈdʒɛr ənd/
noun, Grammar
1.
(in certain languages, as Latin) a form regularly derived from a verb and functioning as a noun, having in Latin all case forms but the nominative, as Latin dicendī gen., dicendō, dat., abl., etc., “saying.”.
2.
the English -ing form of a verb when functioning as a noun, as writing in Writing is easy.
3.
a form similar to the Latin gerund in meaning or function.
Origin
1505-15; < Late Latin gerundium, Latin gerundum that which is to be carried on, equivalent to ger(ere) to bear, carry on + -undum, variant of -endum, gerund suffix
Related forms
gerundial
[juh-ruhn-dee-uh l] /dʒəˈrʌn di əl/ (Show IPA), adjective
gerundially, adverb
nongerundial, adjective
Usage note
See me.
Examples from the web for gerund
  • But then you have a problem with parallel structure--a gerund and a noun.
  • Our period has also established a new verbal-the gerund.
  • The use of ere with a gerund is particularly to be avoided.
  • And its offensiveness does not depend on whether it is used as an adjective, adverb, verb or gerund.
  • The gerund the gerund is formed similarly to the present active participle.
British Dictionary definitions for gerund

gerund

/ˈdʒɛrənd/
noun
1.
a noun formed from a verb, denoting an action or state. In English, the gerund, like the present participle, is formed in -ing: the living is easy
Derived Forms
gerundial (dʒɪˈrʌndɪəl) adjective
Word Origin
C16: from Late Latin gerundium, from Latin gerundum something to be carried on, from gerere to wage
Word Origin and History for gerund
n.

1510s, from Late Latin gerundium, from Old Latin gerundum "to be carried out," gerundive of gerere "to bear, carry" (see gest). In Latin, a verbal noun used for all cases of the infinitive but the nominative; applied in English to verbal nouns in -ing.

gerund in Culture
gerund [(jer-uhnd)]

A form of a verb that ends in -ing and operates as a noun in a sentence: “Thinking can be painful.”