In linguistics, a participle is a word that shares some characteristics of both verbs and adjectives. Examples of participle formation are:

As noun-modifiers, participles usually precede the noun (like adjectives), but in many cases they can or must follow it:

• The visiting dignitaries devoured the baked apples.
• Please bring all the documents required. (= Please bring all the documents that are required.)
• The difficulties encountered were nearly insurmountable. (= The difficulties that were encountered were nearly insurmountable.)