main verb


main verb

n. The verb in a verb phrase that expresses the action, state, or relation and is not an auxiliary verb. In the sentence, The bird has flown, fly is the main verb.

main′ verb′


n. a word used as the final verb in a verb phrase, expressing the lexical meaning of the verb phrase, as drink in I don't drink, going in I am going, or spoken in We have spoken.