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adj

inchoate

Inchoate (adj) means Recently started but not fully formed yet; just begun; only elementary or immature.

adj
1
Recently started but not fully formed yet; just begun; only elementary or immature.
2
Chaotic, disordered, confused; also, incoherent, rambling.
3
Of a crime, imposing criminal liability for an incompleted act.
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Etymology

The adjective is first attested in 1534, the verb circa 1631; borrowed from Latin incohātus (“begun, unfinished”), perfect passive participle of incohō (“to begin”), see -ate (etymology 1, 2 and 3). Cognate with Spanish incoar (“to initiate, commence, begin”).

Rhymes for inchoate

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Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of inchoate?

"inchoate" (adj) means recently started but not fully formed yet; just begun; only elementary or immature.

What are the different meanings of inchoate?

"inchoate" has 3 main meanings: 1. Recently started but not fully formed yet; just begun; only elementary or immature; 2. Chaotic, disordered, confused; also, incoherent, rambling; 3. Of a crime, imposing criminal liability for an incompleted act.

Definitions from wiktionary, CC BY-SA · etymology from Wiktionary