par·ti·ci·ple /ˈpɑrtəˌsɪpəl/
 分詞
 Par·ti·ci·ple n.
 1. Gram. A part of speech partaking of the nature of both verb and adjective; a form of a verb, or verbal adjective, modifying a noun, but taking the adjuncts of the verb from which it is derived. In the sentences: a letter is written; being asleep he did not hear; exhausted by toil he will sleep soundly, -- written, being, and exhaustedare participles.
    By a participle, [I understand] a verb in an adjectival aspect.   --Earle.
 Note: ☞ Present participles, called also imperfect, or incomplete, participles, end in -ing.  Past participles, called also perfect, or complete, participles, for the most part end in -ed, -d, -t, -en, or -n.  A participle when used merely as an attribute of a noun, without reference to time, is called an adjective, or a participial adjective; as, a written constitution; a rolling stone; the exhausted army.  The verbal noun in -ing has the form of the present participle. See Verbal noun, under Verbal, a.
 2. Anything that partakes of the nature of different things. [Obs.]
    The participles or confines between plants and living creatures.   --Bacon.
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 participle
      n : a non-finite form of the verb; in English it is used
          adjectivally and to form compound tenses [syn: participial]