inchoative

English

Wikipedia

Etymology

From inchoate +‎ -ive.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ɪnˈkəʊ.ə.tɪv/, SAMPA: /In"k@U.@.tIv/
• (US) IPA: /ɪnˈkoʊətɪv/, SAMPA: /In.koU@tIv/

Adjective

inchoative (not comparable)

1. At the beginning, still in an unformed state.
   • 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 an action is soon to begin.
   • (Can we date this quote?) Wikipedia, Inchoative

     Some languages with the inchoative aspect use the same inflection for the inceptive aspect. The inchoative aspect is often translated into English by “to be about [to do something]”.

3. (grammar) Inflected in or relating to the inchoative aspect.

Related terms

• inchoate

Translations

at the beginning

Latin: inchoativus (la)

grammar: aspectually indicating that an action is to begin

related to the inchoative aspect