vocable

[ voh-kuh-buhl ]

noun

1. a word; term; name.
2. a word considered only as a combination of certain sounds or letters, without regard to meaning.

adjective

1. capable of being spoken.

vocable

/ ˈvəʊkəbəl /

noun

1. any word, either written or spoken, regarded simply as a sequence of letters or spoken sounds, irrespective of its meaning
2. a vocal sound; vowel

adjective

1. capable of being uttered

Derived Forms

• ˈvocably, adverb

Other Words From

• voca·bly adverb
• non·voca·ble adjective noun
• un·voca·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vocable¹

1520–30; < Latin vocābulum a word, a name, equivalent to vocā ( re ) to call + -bulum noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of vocable¹

C16: from Latin vocābulum a designation, from vocāre to call

Example Sentences

Sometimes he merely alters a letter or two; sometimes he twists off the head or the tail of the unfortunate vocable altogether.

From Project Gutenberg

Suppose I have an idea to which I give utterance by the vocable 'skrkl,' claiming at the same time that it is true.

From Project Gutenberg

There was a vocable that occasioned me some perplexity—indeed a haze envelopes it still.

From Project Gutenberg

A very little would have induced him to fill that empty vocable with a name.

From Project Gutenberg

The same vocable is preserved to our day in the name borne by one of the provinces of Persia, Khouzistan.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• concept
• expression
• name
• phrase
• sound
• term