/ əˈpelətɪv; NAmE / adjective , noun
■ adjective
( formal ) relating to the giving of a name
■ noun
( technical ) a common noun that is used to address a person or thing, for example 'mother' or 'doctor'
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from late Latin appellativus , from appellat- addressed, from the verb appellare to address, based on ad- to + pellere to drive.