inchoative

Etymology

From Latin incohātīvus, from incohō (“to begin”). Compare French inchoatif.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ɪnˈkəʊ.ə.tɪv/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ɪnˈkoʊətɪv/

Adjective

inchoative (not comparable)

1. At the beginning, still in an unformed state.
   • W. Montagu

     Some inchoative or imperfect rays.

   • 1858, Thomas Carlyle, History Of Friedrich II Of Prussia

     Our first Piece is of Winter, or late Autumn, 1771,—while the solution of the Polish Business is still in its inchoative stages; …

2. (grammar) Aspectually indicating that a state is about to be entered or is in the process of being entered.
3. (grammar) Inflected in or relating to the inchoative aspect.

Noun

inchoative (plural inchoatives)

1. (grammar) An inchoative construction.

See also

• emerging
• prospective

References

• inchoative aspect on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• inchoative at OneLook Dictionary Search
• inchoative in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911

Adjective

inchoative

1. inflected form of inchoativ