Etymology
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inceptive (adj.)

1650s, "denoting the initial point or step," from French inceptif (16c.), from Latin incept-, past participle stem of incipere "to begin" (see inception). Interchangeable with inchoative. As a noun, "an inceptive verb," from 1610s.

Entries linking to inceptive

inception (n.)

early 15c., "a beginning, a starting," from Old French inception and directly from Latin inceptionem (nominative inceptio) "a beginning; an undertaking," noun of action from past-participle stem of incipere "begin, take in hand," from in- "in, on" (from PIE root *en "in") + -cipere, combining form of capere "take, seize," from PIE root *kap- "to grasp."

inchoative (adj.)
1630s, "indicating beginning or inception;" see inchoate + -ive. Especially in grammar, of verbs, "denoting the beginning of action, inceptive," 1660s.

updated on December 07, 2020

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Definitions of inceptive from WordNet

inceptive (adj.)
initial;
Synonyms: inchoative
From wordnet.princeton.edu, not affiliated with etymonline.

Dictionary entries near inceptive

incent

incentive

incentivize

incept

inception

inceptive

incertitude

incessancy

incessant

incest

incestuous

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