Appellativization

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The linguistic process by which a proper name, originally referring to a specific person or place, gradually shifts in meaning to denote a general class of things or actions
2. The phenomenon in which a trademark, brand name, or personal name loses its capitalization and becomes a generic term applicable to similar items or concepts
3. The gradual transformation of a capitalized individual name into a lowercase common word that describes a category of objects or phenomena

Etymology: "Appellativization" is a plain English formation: the noun "appellative" with the suffix "-ization" attached. The "-ization" ending comes into English through Old French from Late Latin "-izatio," and it turns an adjective or noun into a word for the process of making something into that thing. So "appellativization" names the process of turning a name into a common term. The base word "appellative" has a longer lineage. It descends from Latin "appellare," meaning "to address" or "to name," itself built from "ad-" ("to") and "pellere" ("to drive" or "to push"), which gives a sense of calling out to someone. The Latin adjective "appellativus" then passed into English as "appellative," used for a common noun as opposed to a proper name. The "-ize" ending in the chain behind it comes from Greek, through Late Latin and Middle French, before reaching English.