Definition of "vocative" in English

adjective

1. Of or pertaining to calling; used in calling or vocation.

2. (grammar) Used in address; appellative; said of the case or form of the noun, pronoun, or adjective by which a person or thing is addressed.

   • In English, the vocative may be indicated by an addressee–address separation comma, or by the particle O, as in "What is the matter, sir?", "Mother, listen!", or "O Lord".

noun

1. (grammar) The vocative case

2. (grammar) A word in the vocative case

3. (grammar) A vocative expression

4. (rare) Something said to (or as though to) a particular person or thing; an entreaty, an invocation.