vocative
[ vok-uh-tiv ]
/ ˈvɒk ə tɪv /
adjective
Grammar. (in certain inflected languages, as Latin) noting or pertaining to a case used to indicate that a noun refers to a person or thing being addressed.
of, relating to, or used in calling, specifying, or addressing.
noun Grammar.
the vocative case.
a word in the vocative, as Latin Paule “O Paul.”
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Origin of vocative
OTHER WORDS FROM vocative
voc·a·tive·ly, adverbWords nearby vocative
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for vocative
British Dictionary definitions for vocative
vocative
/ (ˈvɒkətɪv) /
adjective
relating to, used in, or characterized by calling
grammar denoting a case of nouns, in some inflected languages, used when the referent of the noun is being addressed
noun
grammar
- the vocative case
- a vocative noun or speech element
Derived forms of vocative
vocatively, adverbWord Origin for vocative
C15: from Latin phrase vocātīvus cāsus the calling case, from vocāre to call
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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