inceptive
Americanadjective
-
beginning; initial.
- Synonyms:
- nascent, embryonic, inchoative
-
Grammar. (of a derived verb, or of an aspect in verb inflection) expressing the beginning of the action indicated by the underlying verb, as Latin verbs in -scō, which generally have inceptive force, as calēscō “become or begin to be hot” from caleō “be hot.”
noun
-
the inceptive aspect.
-
a verb in this aspect.
adjective
-
beginning; incipient; initial
-
Also called: inchoative. grammar denoting an aspect of verbs in some languages used to indicate the beginning of an action
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of inceptive
From the Late Latin word inceptīvus, dating back to 1605–15. See incept, -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.
"One is at once impressed," admits Psychologist Seashore, "with the appalling task which this inceptive science has assumed for itself, and how undeveloped the work is within this field."
From Time Magazine Archive
Particularly in the playing of Miss Johns one seems to see the gathering nebula of an inceptive star.
From Time Magazine Archive
What remains is the inceptive will to achieve Righteousness.
From The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 4 Books 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 by Kisari Mohan Ganguli
In this new, busy, inspiring, delightful world logic became a synthesis erected upon some inceptive absurdity, carried solemnly to a picturesque and erroneous conclusion.
From The Common Law by Robert W. (Robert William) Chambers
This author looks upon circumcision as of purely climatic origin in its inceptive causes.
From History of Circumcision from the Earliest Times to the Present Moral and Physical Reasons for its Performance by Peter Charles Remondino
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