n. 动名词

[ noun ]
a noun formed from a verb (such as the `-ing' form of an English verb when used as a noun)
<noun.communication>

Gerund \Ger"und\, n. [L. gerundium, fr. gerere to bear, carry,
perform. See {Gest} a deed, {Jest}.] (Lat. Gram.)
1. A kind of verbal noun, having only the four oblique cases
of the singular number, and governing cases like a
participle.

2. (AS. Gram.) A verbal noun ending in -e, preceded by to and
usually denoting purpose or end; -- called also the
{dative infinitive}; as, ``Ic h[ae]bbe mete t[^o] etanne''
(I have meat to eat.) In Modern English the name has been
applied to verbal or participal nouns in -ing denoting a
transitive action; e. g., by throwing a stone.