Pertaining to a common name; noting the common name of a species.

A common name in distinction from a proper name. A common name or appelative stands for a whole class, genus or species of beings, or for universal ideas. Thus man is the name of the whole human race, and fowl of all winged animals. Tree is the name of all plants of a particular class; plant and vegetable are names of things that grow out of the earth. A proper name, on the other hand, stands for a single thing, as, London, Philadelphia, Washington, Boston.

1. Pertaining to a common name; serving as a distinctive denomination; denominative; naming.

2. Common, as opposed to proper; denominative of a class.

1. A common name, in distinction from a proper name. A common name, or appellative, stands for a whole class, genus, or species of beings, or for universal ideas. Thus, tree is the name of all plants of a particular class; plant and vegetable are names of things that grow out of the earth. A proper name, on the other hand, stands for a single thing; as, Rome, Washington, Lake Erie.

2. An appellation or title; a descriptive name.

According to the manner of nouns appellative; in a manner to express whole classes or species; as, Hercules is sometimes used appellatively that is, as a common name to signify a strong man.

After the manner of nouns appellative; in a manner to express whole classes or species; as, Hercules is sometimes used appellatively, that is, as a common name, to signify a strong man.

The quality of being appellative.