pseudoverbal

English

Etymology

pseudo- +‎ verbal

Adjective

pseudoverbal (not comparable)

1. (linguistics) Having some of the characteristics of a verb, though not in fact a verb.
2. (linguistics) Appearing to have speaking skills that are not in fact present.
   • 1984, Jon Eisenson, Aphasia and related disorders in children, page 30:

     Their echolalic responses may be much more extensive than the single words or short phrases that are characteristic of normal echolalia. Thus, a pseudoverbal autistic child may respond to "Do you want a cookie, Jimmy?" with a replication of the very same words.

Related terms

• pseudoverb