VOCATIVE

vocative

(adjective) relating to a case used in some languages; “vocative verb endings”

vocative, vocative case

(noun) the case (in some inflected languages) used when the referent of the noun is being addressed

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Adjective

vocative (comparative more vocative, superlative most vocative)

Of or pertaining to calling; used in calling or vocation.

(grammar) Used in address; appellative (said of that case or form of the noun, pronoun, or adjective, in which a person or thing is addressed). For example "Domine, O Lord"

Noun

vocative (plural vocatives)

(grammar) The vocative case

(grammar) A word in the vocative case

(rare) Something said to (or as though to) a particular person or thing; an entreaty, an invocation.

Source: Wiktionary

Voc"a*tive, a. Etym: [L. vocativus, fr. vocare to call.]

Definition: Of or pertaining to calling; used in calling; specifically (Gram.), used in address; appellative; -- said of that case or form of the noun, pronoun, or adjective, in which a person or thing is addressed; as, Domine, O Lord.

Voc"a*tive, n. Etym: [L. vocativus (sc. casus): cf. F. vocatif.] (Gram.)

Definition: The vocative case.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition