a kind of verbal noun, having only the four oblique cases of the singular number, and governing cases like a participle.-a verbal noun ending in -e, preceded by to and usually denoting purpose or end; -- called also the dative infinitive; as, "ic haebbe mete to 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.