intransitive
    adj 1: designating a verb that does not require or cannot take a
           direct object [ant: transitive]
    n 1: a verb (or verb construction) that does not take an object
         [syn: intransitive verb, intransitive verb form,
         intransitive]

Intransitive \In*tran"si*tive\, a. [L. intransitivus: cf. F.
   intransitif. See In- not, and Transitive.]
   1. Not passing farther; kept; detained. [R.]
      [1913 Webster]

            And then it is for the image's sake and so far is
            intransitive; but whatever is paid more to the image
            is transitive and passes further.     --Jer. Taylor.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Gram.) Not transitive; not passing over to an object;
      expressing an action or state that is limited to the agent
      or subject, or, in other words, an action which does not
      require an object to complete the sense; as, an
      intransitive verb, e. g., the bird flies; the dog runs.
      [1913 Webster]

   Note: Intransitive verbs have no passive form. Some verbs
         which appear at first sight to be intransitive are in
         reality, or were originally, transitive verbs with a
         reflexive or other object omitted; as, he keeps (i. e.,
         himself) aloof from danger. Intransitive verbs may take
         a noun of kindred signification for a cognate object;
         as, he died the death of a hero; he dreamed a dream.
         Some intransitive verbs, by the addition of a
         preposition, become transitive, and so admit of a
         passive voice; as, the man laughed at; he was laughed
         at by the man.
         [1913 Webster]