Participle Definition

pärtĭ-sĭpəl

participles

noun

participles

A verbal form having some characteristics and functions of both verb and adjective: in English, the present participle ends in -ing (asking) and the past participle most commonly ends in -ed or -en (asked, spoken)

Webster's New World

In grammar terms, a participle is an adjective (descriptive word) made from a verb.

An example of a participle is "sleeping" in the phrase "sleeping dogs."

YourDictionary

Synonyms:

Synonyms:
participial

Other Word Forms of Participle

Noun

Singular:

participle

Plural:

participles

Origin of Participle

Middle English from Old French variant of participe from Latin participium (translation of Greek metokhē sharing, partaking, participle) from particeps particip- partaker participate

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Old French participle (1388), "˜a noun-adjective', variant of participe, from Latin participium.

From Wiktionary