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.

---

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

---

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

In the above Sansc. var, to moisten, to water, is contained, as I take it, the root of the Finnic wirta, a river, the only appellative I can find for the following.

From The River-Names of Europe by Ferguson, Robert

This appellative is one belonging to a sacred place of pilgrimage sacred to Ayonija, whose miraculous birth was thus brought about.

From Ancient Faiths And Modern A Dissertation upon Worships, Legends and Divinities by Inman, Thomas

In the distracted times of early revolution, any nickname, however vague, will fully answer a purpose, although neither those who are blackened by the odium, nor those who cast it, can define the hateful appellative.

From Curiosities of Literature, Vol. 3 by Disraeli, Isaac

GEORGE'S, the name being suggested, in the first place, by the baptismal appellative of their virtual founder and Hon. Sec.,

From The Exploits and Triumphs, in Europe, of Paul Morphy, the Chess Champion by Edge, Frederick Milnes