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inchoate

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The definition of inchoate is something that has just started or is partially begun, but that hasn't fully developed yet.

(adjective)

An example of something that would be described as inchoate is a new fledgling organization that has not yet developed all the way.

See inchoate in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

just begun; in the early stages; incipient; rudimentary
not yet clearly or completely formed or organized; disordered
Law not yet completed or made effective; pending

Origin: L inchoatus, incohatus, pp. of inchoare, incohare, to begin, orig. rural term “hitch up, harness” < in-, in + cohum, the strap from plow beam to yoke < IE base *kagh-, to hold, enclose > hedge

Related Forms:

inchoately adverb
inchoateness noun

See inchoate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

In an initial or early stage; incipient.
Imperfectly formed or developed: a vague, inchoate idea.

Origin:

Origin: Latin inchoātus

Origin: , past participle of inchoāre, to begin

Origin: , alteration of incohāre

Origin: : in-, in; see in-²

Origin: + cohum, strap from yoke to harness

Related Forms:

in·choˈate·ly adverb

in·choˈate·ness noun

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