the word "verbally" has its origins in the latin verbum, meaning "word". this root passed into english via old french to form "verbal", an adjective meaning "relating to words". the addition of the adverbial suffix "-ly", of germanic origin, transforms it to specify the manner of an action. thus, the literal construction "in a word-related manner" evolved to specifically denote communication through spoken words, distinguishing it from written or physical expression.

Structure: verb (word) + al (adjective suffix) + ly (adverb suffix) - verb: from latin verbum meaning "word". functions as the core root. - al: from latin -alis, an adjective-forming suffix. indicates "pertaining to". - ly: from old english -līc, an adverb-forming suffix. indicates "in a manner of".