Definition

A type of verb form used in some languages that shows past action without indicating whether the action is complete or ongoing.

Example

In Classical Greek, the aorist tense is often used to describe actions that happened in the past.

Conversation

Have you ever studied the aorist tense in Greek?

Not really, but I heard it's quite different from what we use in English.

Yeah, it expresses past actions without showing if they were completed.

That sounds interesting! I should look into it for my language class.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Aorist → The word 'aorist' comes from the Greek 'aoristos' (ἀόριστος), which means 'indefinite' or 'unlimited'. It is derived from the prefix 'a-' (meaning 'not') and 'horistos' (ὁριστός, meaning 'defined' or 'limited'). The aorist tense in grammar refers to a verb form that expresses a completed action without specifying when it occurred, hence the idea of being 'indefinite'.

Memory Tip

Think of 'not defined' ('a-' means not and 'horistos' means defined) to remember that 'aorist' refers to an indefinite or unspecified action in grammar.

Visually Confused Words