appellative

adjective

ap·​pel·​la·​tive ə-ˈpe-lə-tiv 

1

: of or relating to a common noun

2

: of, relating to, or inclined to the giving of names

appellative noun

appellatively adverb

Examples of appellative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The group has always had certain appellative affinities. —Holden Seidlitz, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English appellatyf, borrowed from Latin appellātīvus, from appellātus, past participle of appellāre "to speak to, address, call upon, name" + -īvus -ive — more at appeal entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1