Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Nearby Entries
appellatives - 2 dictionary results

ap⋅pel⋅la⋅tive

  [uh-pel-uh-tiv]
Use appellatives in a Sentence
–noun
1. a descriptive name or designation, as Bald in Charles the Bald.
2. a common noun.
–adjective
3. designative; descriptive.
4. tending toward or serving for the assigning of names: the appellative function of some primitive rites.
5. pertaining to a common noun.
Origin:
1375–1425; late ME (< MF) < LL appellātīvus. See appellate, -ive

Related forms:
ap⋅pel⋅la⋅tive⋅ly, adverb
ap⋅pel⋅la⋅tive⋅ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To appellatives
ap·pel·la·tive   (ə-pěl'ə-tĭv)   
adj.  
  1. Of or relating to the assignment of names.
  2. Grammar Of or relating to a common noun.
n.  A name or descriptive epithet.

[Middle English, common (noun), from Old French appelatif, from Late Latin appelātīvus, from Latin appellātus, past participle of appellāre, to call upon, entreat; see appeal.]
ap·pel'la·tive·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see appellatives on Thesaurus | Reference