Inchoative
/ɪnˈkoʊətɪv/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Uncommon ·College level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An inchoative construction.
- 2 aspect with regard to the beginning of the action of the verb wordnet
Adjective
- 1 Initial; as yet unformed; inchoate. not-comparable
"[T]he day-Star […] ſhall be riſen in our hearts; vvhereof theſe acts of our intellect ſeem to be ſome inchoative or imperfect rays, […]"
- 2 Aspectually indicating that a state is about to be entered or is in the process of being entered. not-comparable
"The inchoative (inceptive) aspect of a verb expresses the beginning of an action. Example: He is beginning to crawl."
Adjective
- 1 in an initial stage wordnet
Example
More examples"[T]he day-Star […] ſhall be riſen in our hearts; vvhereof theſe acts of our intellect ſeem to be ſome inchoative or imperfect rays, […]"
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin inchoātīvus, formed by metathesis from incohātīvus, from incohō (“to begin”). Compare French inchoatif.