First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1vocative
adjective voc·a·tive \ˈvä-kə-tiv\
Definition of VOCATIVE
1
: of, relating to, or being a grammatical case marking the one addressed (as Latin Domine in miserere, Domine “have mercy, O Lord”)
2
of a word or word group : marking the one addressed (as mother in “mother, come here”)
— voc·a·tive·ly adverb
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Origin of VOCATIVE
Middle English vocatif, from Middle French, from Latin vocativus, from vocatus, past participle of vocare
Rhymes with VOCATIVE
2vocative
noun
Definition of VOCATIVE
1
: the vocative case of a language
2
: a form in the vocative case
First Known Use of VOCATIVE
15th century
Rhymes with VOCATIVE
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