vocative

[ vok-uh-tiv ]

adjective

1. 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.
2. of, relating to, or used in calling, specifying, or addressing.

noun

, Grammar.

1. the vocative case.
2. a word in the vocative, as Latin Paule “O Paul.”

vocative

/ ˈvɒkətɪv /

adjective

1. relating to, used in, or characterized by calling
2. grammar denoting a case of nouns, in some inflected languages, used when the referent of the noun is being addressed

noun

1. grammar
   1. the vocative case
   2. a vocative noun or speech element

Derived Forms

• ˈvocatively, adverb

Other Words From

• voca·tive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of vocative¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin vocātīvus ( cāsus ) calling (case), equivalent to vocāt ( us ) ( vocation ) + -īvus -ive

Word History and Origins

Origin of vocative¹

C15: from Latin phrase vocātīvus cāsus the calling case, from vocāre to call

Example Sentences

“He told me to keep my eyes open super wide,” Waters told Vocative.

From The Daily Beast

The vocative alone often takes a final a as in the interrogative form.

From Project Gutenberg

Ahaygar; a pet term; my friend, my love: vocative of Irish tagur, love, a dear person.

From Project Gutenberg

Avourneen, my love: the vocative case of Irish muirnn, a sweetheart, a loved person.

From Project Gutenberg

Vocative, vok′a-tiv, adj. pertaining to the act of calling, applied to the grammatical case used in personal address.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a different word altogether, and is only the subjunctive of am, in the way puss is the vocative of cat.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• artful
• articulate
• eloquent
• facile
• loquacious
• talkative