Word Study
vocative
CIDE DICTIONARY
vocative, a. [L. vocativus, fr. vocare to call.].
Of or pertaining to calling; used in calling; specifically (Gram.) , used in address; appellative; -- said of that case or form of the noun, pronoun, or adjective, in which a person or thing is addressed; as, Domine, O Lord. [1913 Webster]
vocative, n. [L. vocativus (sc. casus): cf. F. vocatif.].
The vocative case. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
vocative, n. & adj. Gram.
--n. the case of nouns, pronouns, and adjectives used in addressing or invoking a person or thing.
--adj. of or in this case.
--n. the case of nouns, pronouns, and adjectives used in addressing or invoking a person or thing.
--adj. of or in this case.
Etymology
ME f. OF vocatif -ive or L vocativus f. vocare call
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