\In*fin"i*tive\, n. [L. infinitivus: cf. F.
infinitif. See {Infinite}.]
Unlimited; not bounded or restricted; undefined.
{Infinitive mood} (Gram.), that form of the verb which merely
   names the action, and performs the office of a verbal
   noun. Some grammarians make two forms in English: ({a})
   The simple form, as, speak, go, hear, before which to is
   commonly placed, as, to speak; to go; to hear. ({b}) The
   form of the imperfect participle, called the infinitive in
   -ing; as, going is as easy as standing.
Note: With the auxiliary verbs may, can, must, might, could,
      would, and should, the simple infinitive is expressed
      without to; as, you may speak; they must hear, etc. The
      infinitive usually omits to with the verbs let, dare,
      do, bid, make, see, hear, need, etc.; as, let me go;
      you dare not tell; make him work; hear him talk, etc.
Note: In Anglo-Saxon, the simple infinitive was not preceded
      by to (the sign of modern simple infinitive), but it
      had a dative form (sometimes called the gerundial
      infinitive) which was preceded by to, and was chiefly
      employed in expressing purpose. See {Gerund}, 2.
Note: The gerundial ending (-anne) not only took the same
      form as the simple infinitive (-an), but it was
      confounded with the present participle in -ende, or
      -inde (later -inge).

\In*fin"i*tive\, n. (Gram.)
An infinitive form of the verb; a verb in the infinitive
mood; the infinitive mood.

\In*fin"i*tive\, adv. (Gram.)
In the manner of an infinitive mood.