— vocatively , adv.
/vok"euh tiv/ , adj.
1. Gram. (in certain inflected languages, as Latin) noting or pertaining to a case used to indicate that a noun refers to a person or thing being addressed.
2. of, pertaining to, or used in calling, specifying, or addressing.
n. Gram.
3. the vocative case.
4. a word in the vocative, as Latin Paule "O Paul."
[ 1400-50; late ME vocativus ( casus ) calling (case), equiv. to vocat ( us ) (see VOCATION) + -ivus -IVE ]