appellative
Americannoun
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a descriptive name or designation, as Bald in Charles the Bald.
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a common noun.
adjective
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designative; descriptive.
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tending toward or serving for the assigning of names.
the appellative function of some primitive rites.
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pertaining to a common noun.
noun
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an identifying name or title; appellation
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grammar another word for common noun
adjective
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of or relating to a name or title
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(of a proper noun) used as a common noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of appellative
1375–1425; late Middle English (< Middle French ) < Late Latin appellātīvus. See appellate, -ive
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
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.
Archer’s name is generally associated with it, but without taking that definite and appellative form it ought to.
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 Robert Ferguson
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
