appellative
A naming term
Appellative refers to naming or designation.
As a noun, an appellative is a common noun that names a class of things (like "river" or "city") rather than a specific individual—contrasted with proper nouns.
As an adjective, it describes something relating to naming or the act of calling something by a name: the appellative function of language.
The term appears mainly in linguistic and philosophical discussions.
Named religious group
- designationFormal name or title
- denotationWord's explicit dictionary meaning
- nomenclatureSystem of specialized terms
- monikerInformal designation for someone
epithet · sobriquet · nickname · alias · pseudonym · cognomen · handle · tag
Descriptive tag for someone
- metonymySubstituting associated name
- synecdochePart standing for whole
- kenningFigurative Norse compound
- euphemismMild substitute for bluntness
dysphemism · sobriquet · cognomen · byword · trademark · catchphrase
Respectful form of address
- sirFormal male address
- madamFormal address for women
- lordNobleman or ruler
- ladyCourteous term for woman
duke · duchess · count · countess · baron · baroness · viscount · viscountess
Not brand-name
- generalWidespread, not specialized
- commonWidespread and unremarkable
- nonspecificNot clearly defined
- collectiveJointly organized group
categorical · classificatory · taxonomic · nominal · conventional · standardized
Describing defining qualities
- describingConveying details verbally
- qualifyingMeeting required criteria
- attributiveDirectly preceding noun modified
- modifyingChanging partially
depictive · illustrative · defining · expressive · indicative · evocative · connotative · delineative
denomination
Named religious group
- designationFormal name or title
- denotationWord's explicit dictionary meaning
- nomenclatureSystem of specialized terms
moniker · epithet · sobriquet · nickname · alias · pseudonym · cognomen · handle · tag · byname
epithet
Descriptive tag for someone
- metonymySubstituting associated name
- synecdochePart standing for whole
- kenningFigurative Norse compound
euphemism · dysphemism · sobriquet · cognomen · byword · trademark · catchphrase
honorific
Respectful form of address
lady · duke · duchess · count · countess · baron · baroness · viscount · viscountess · earl
generic
Not brand-name
- generalWidespread, not specialized
- commonWidespread and unremarkable
- nonspecificNot clearly defined
collective · categorical · classificatory · taxonomic · nominal · conventional · standardized
characterizing
Describing defining qualities
- describingConveying details verbally
- qualifyingMeeting required criteria
- attributiveDirectly preceding noun modified
modifying · depictive · illustrative · defining · expressive · indicative · evocative · connotative · delineative · portraying
appellativeproper noun
Named person or place
proper name · proper · personal name · given name · surname