appellative

American  

[uh-pel-uh-tiv] / əˈpɛl ə tɪv /

noun

1. a descriptive name or designation, as Bald in Charles the Bald.

2. a common noun.

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adjective

1. designative; descriptive.

2. tending toward or serving for the assigning of names.

   the appellative function of some primitive rites.

3. pertaining to a common noun.

appellative British  

/ əˈpɛlətɪv /

noun

1. an identifying name or title; appellation

2. grammar another word for common noun

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adjective

1. of or relating to a name or title

2. (of a proper noun) used as a common noun

Other Word Forms

• appellativeness
  noun
• appellatively
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of appellative

1375–1425; late Middle English (< Middle French ) < Late Latin appellātīvus. See appellate, -ive

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

appellative

Now a taxidermied water buffalo head — the ox — watches from above the bar, while the appellative bull is represented across from it in gleaming metal.

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 26, 2023

A common name, or appellative, stands for a whole class, genus, or species of beings, or for universal ideas.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary by Noah Webster

Archer’s name is generally associated with it, but without taking that definite and appellative form it ought to.

From The Evolution of Photography With a Chronological Record of Discoveries, Inventions, etc., Contributions to Photographic Literature, and Personal Reminescences Extending over Forty Years by John Werge

This familiar appellative had followed him into the army.

From Horse-Shoe Robinson A Tale of the Tory Ascendency by John Pendleton Kennedy

In referring to the root ark, erk, I have omitted the Ir. earc, water, the appellative most nearly concerned.

From The River-Names of Europe by Robert Ferguson