inchoative

adjective

in·​cho·​a·​tive in-ˈkō-ə-tiv 

1

: initial, formative

the inchoative stages

2

: denoting the beginning of an action, state, or occurrence

—used of verbs

inchoative noun

inchoatively adverb

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin incohātīvus, inchoātīvus "denoting the beginning of a verbal action," from Latin incohātus, inchoātus, past participle of incohāre, inchoāre "to start work on, begin, initiate" + -īvus -ive — more at inchoate

First Known Use

circa 1631, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for inchoative

• automotive
• locomotive
• electromotive
• emotive
• promotive
• motive
• votive