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vocative

 - 3 dictionary results

voc⋅a⋅tive

  [vok-uh-tiv]
Use vocative in a Sentence
–adjective
1. Grammar. (in certain inflected languages, as Latin) noting or pertaining to a case used to indicate that a noun refers to a person or thing being addressed.
2. of, pertaining to, or used in calling, specifying, or addressing.
–noun Grammar.
3. the vocative case.
4. a word in the vocative, as Latin Paule “O Paul.”
Origin:
1400–50; late ME < L vocātīvus (cāsus) calling (case), equiv. to vocāt(us) (see vocation ) + -īvus -ive

Related forms:
voc⋅a⋅tive⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To vocative
voc·a·tive   (vŏk'ə-tĭv)   
adj.  

  1. Relating to, characteristic of, or used in calling.

  2. Of, relating to, or being a grammatical case in certain inflected languages to indicate the person or thing being addressed.

n.  

  1. The vocative case.

  2. A word or form in the vocative case.


[Middle English vocatif, from Old French, from Latin vocātīvus (cāsus), vocative (case), from vocātus, past participle of vocāre, to call; see vocation.]
voc'a·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.
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Word Origin & History

vocative 
c.1440, "showing the person or thing spoken to," from M.Fr. vocatif (fem. vocative), from L. vocativus (casus) "(case of) calling," from vocatus, pp. of vocare "to call" (see voice). The L. is a translation of Gk. kletike ptosis, from kletikos "related to calling," from kletos "called."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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