Pär'ti-çi-ple, n.

n. [Lat. participium, from participes, sharing, participant, from pars, partis, a part, and capere, to take; It., Sp., & Pg. participio, Pr. particip, Fr. participe.]

1. (Gram.) A word having the nature of an adjective, derived from a verb, and so called because it partakes of the nature of an adjective and a verb; a verbal adjective, containing the idea of the action implied by the act, but without giving an assertion or affirmation; as, having, making. The present participles become nouns by prefixing a, an, or the to them; as, a marching upon the enemy; an ending of the discussion; the having of property; the making of instruments.
2. Any thing that participates of different things. [Obs.] Bacon.