participial
|par-tic-i-pi-al|
🇺🇸
/pɑrˌtɪsɪˈpiəl/
🇬🇧
/pɑːˌtɪsɪˈpɪəl/
relating to a participle
Etymology
'participial' originates from Latin via Medieval Latin, specifically the word 'participialis', where the root 'parti-' is related to Latin 'pars' meaning 'part' and the element '-ceps' (from 'capere') carried the sense 'taking' (so the original idea is 'partaking').
'participial' changed from Medieval Latin 'participialis' (adjective formed from 'participium' = 'participle') and entered English via Latin/Medieval Latin influence, eventually becoming the modern English word 'participial'.
Initially, it meant 'relating to or partaking in (a part)', specifically 'relating to a participle', and over time it has retained this grammatical sense of 'relating to or formed from a participle'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to or functioning as a participle; showing characteristics of a participle.
The participial phrase at the start of the sentence modifies the subject.
Synonyms
Adjective 2
formed from a participle (used to describe forms or constructions derived from a participle).
In many languages, participial constructions create participial adjectives and participial clauses.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/09 11:53