Adverbifying

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Converting a word or phrase so that it functions as an adverb, modifying a verb, adjective or another adverb
2. Forming an adverb from another part of speech by adding a suffix or otherwise changing the word into one that modifies action or quality
3. The process of making a word behave as an adverb, typically by attaching an ending such as -ly to an adjective

Etymology: "Adverbify" is formed from "adverb" and the suffix "-ify," which comes from Latin "-ificare," meaning "to make" or "to cause to become." The suffix combines with a noun or adjective to form a verb meaning "to turn into" or "to make into" the thing named by the base. So "adverbify" means to turn a word, or part of a sentence, into an adverb, or to treat something as if it were one. "Adverb" itself comes from Latin "adverbium," literally "to the verb," from "ad," meaning "to," and "verbum," meaning "verb." The name reflects the traditional role of adverbs as words that modify verbs, though they also modify adjectives and other adverbs. The word "adverbifying" is the form used to describe that action in progress. It is a playful, mostly grammarian's coinage, built on the same pattern as older English verbs such as "beautify" and "glorify."