Main Entry: in·cho·ate

Pronunciation: \in-ˈkō-ət, ˈin-kə-ˌwāt\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Latin inchoatus, past participle of inchoare to start work on, perhaps from in- + cohum part of a yoke to which the beam of a plow is fitted

Date: 1534

: being only partly in existence or operation : incipient; especially : imperfectly formed or formulated : formless, incoherent <misty, inchoate suspicions that all is not well with the nation — J. M. Perry>

— in·cho·ate·ly adverb

— in·cho·ate·ness noun