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

• appellatively adverb
• appellativeness noun

Etymology

Origin of appellative

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

Example Sentences

It will be seen at a glance that such appellatives are rare, by comparison, in the present day.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

So he can apply to himself whichever title he likes best; but whether he deserves either one or the other, depends on what he has done to merit the appellative.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

We had not yet shown ourselves, and Wabberley continued shouting, sometimes, "Ahoy!" sometimes my name, always prefixing the respectful appellative "master," and not calling me plain "Brent," as Hoggett had done.

From Project Gutenberg