inchoate

== English == === 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”). === Pronunciation === adjective, noun (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ɪnˈkəʊət/, /ɪnˈkəʊeɪt/ (General American) IPA(key): /ɪnˈkoʊət/, /ɪnˈkoʊeɪt/ verb (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ɪnˈkəʊeɪt/ (General American) IPA(key): /ɪnˈkoʊeɪt/ === Adjective === inchoate (comparative more inchoate, superlative most inchoate) Recently started but not fully formed yet; just begun; only elementary or immature. Synonyms: elementary, immature, embryonic, incipient, nascent, rudimentary Chaotic, disordered, confused; also, incoherent, rambling. Synonyms: chaotic, confused (law) Of a crime, imposing criminal liability for an incompleted act. 2006, United States v. McKenney, 450 F.3d 39 (1st Cir. 2006) Congress considers the inchoate offenses of attempt and conspiracy, even conspiracy without an overt act, to be just as serious as the federal substantive drug offenses which they contemplate. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Noun === inchoate (plural inchoates) (rare) A beginning, an immature start. === Verb === inchoate (third-person singular simple present inchoates, present participle inchoating, simple past and past participle inchoated) (transitive) To begin or start (something). (transitive) To cause or bring about. In the field of criminology, to encourage, assist, conspire, aid and abet, incite, etc. (intransitive) To make a start. === Related terms === === Anagrams === Noachite, choanite, ethanoic, thiocane == Latin == === Pronunciation === (Classical Latin) IPA(key): [ɪŋ.kʰoˈaː.tɛ] (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA(key): [iŋ.koˈaː.te] === Verb === inchoāte second-person plural present active imperative of inchoō