Vocative (Noun)
Meaning
The case (in some inflected languages) used when the referent of the noun is being addressed.
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- In many ancient languages, including Greek and Latin, the vocative was used as a separate case for direct address.
- Her favorite poet frequently employed the vocative case to great emotional effect in his sonnets.
- While most Slavic languages retained the vocative, many languages including Bulgarian lost the distinct vocative form.
- Scholars were struck by the unexpected presence of a vocative phrase at the start of the fragmentary poem.
- Teachers advised the student not to use Latin vocative nouns unless speaking directly to someone or an imaginary figure.