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

• appellatively
  adverb
• appellativeness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of appellative

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

Example Sentences

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

To the root ud place as an appellative the Obs.

From The River-Names of Europe by Ferguson, Robert

The Jains use the term with preference as an appellative of Vardhamāna whom they revere as their Buddha.—48.

From The Gospel of Buddha Compiled from Ancient Records by Paul Carus by Carus, Paul

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

The younger brother softened at the old appellative; he composed his ruffled feathers, and went at it more submissively.

From Mattie:?A Stray (Vol 2 of 3) by Robinson, Frederick William