n. [ L. appelativum, sc. nomen. ] 1. A common name, in distinction from a proper name. A common name, or appellative, stands for a whole class, genus, or species of beings, or for universal ideas. Thus, tree is the name of all plants of a particular class; plant and vegetable are names of things that grow out of the earth. A proper name, on the other hand, stands for a single thing; as, Rome, Washington, Lake Erie. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An appellation or title; a descriptive name. [ 1913 Webster ]

God chosen it for one of his appellatives to be the Defender of them. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. appellativus, fr. appellare: cf. F. appelatif. See Appeal. ] 1. Pertaining to a common name; serving as a distinctive denomination; denominative; naming. Cudworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Gram.) Common, as opposed to proper; denominative of a class. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. After the manner of nouns appellative; in a manner to express whole classes or species; as, Hercules is sometimes used appellatively, that is, as a common name, to signify a strong man. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality of being appellative. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]