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.

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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

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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

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

In referring to the root ark, erk, I have omitted the Ir. earc, water, the appellative most nearly concerned.

From The River-Names of Europe by Ferguson, Robert

Why Mister Gallagher, where did you learn that respectful appellative?

From Osceola the Seminole The Red Fawn of the Flower Land by Reid, Mayne

This familiar appellative had followed him into the army.

From Horse-Shoe Robinson A Tale of the Tory Ascendency by Kennedy, John Pendleton

The only appellative for a river which I find derived from its sound is the Sanscrit nadi, Hind. nuddy, from nad, sonare.

From The River-Names of Europe by Ferguson, Robert