Emily Dickinson Lexicon

VERB, n. [L. verbum; Fr. verbe; Sp. and It. verbo; Ir. fearb; probably from the root of L. fero.]

1. In grammar, a part of speech that expresses action, motion, being, suffering, or a request or command to do or forbear any thing. The verb affirms, declares, asks or commands; as, I write; he runs; the river flows; they sleep; we see; they are deceived; depart; go; come; write; does he improve? When the action expressed by a verb is exerted on an object, or terminates upon it, the act is considered as passing to that object, and the verb is called transitive; as, I read Livy. When the act expressed by the verb, terminates in the agent or subject, the verb is called intransitive; as, I run; I walk; I sleep. When the agent and object change places, and the agent is considered as the instrument by which the object is affected, the verb is called passive; as, Goliath was slain by David.
2. A word. – South.