The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Inceptive \In*cep"tive\, a.
   Beginning; expressing or indicating beginning; as, an
   inceptive proposition; an inceptive verb, which expresses the
   beginning of action; -- called also inchoative. --
   In*cep"tive*ly, adv.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Inchoative \In*cho"a*tive\ (?; 277), a. [L. inchoativus,
   incohativus: cf. F. inchoatif.]
   Expressing or pertaining to a beginning; inceptive; as, an
   inchoative verb. "Some inchoative or imperfect rays." --W.
   Montagu. -- n. An inchoative verb. See Inceptive.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

inchoative
    adj 1: beginning to develop; "inchoative stages"
    n 1: aspect with regard to the beginning of the action of the
         verb [syn: inchoative, inchoative aspect]