The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Inchoate \In"cho*ate\, a. [L. inchoatus, better incohatus, p. p.
   of incohare to begin.]
   Recently, or just, begun; beginning; partially but not fully
   in existence or operation; existing in its elements;
   incomplete. -- In"cho*ate*ly, adv.
   [1913 Webster]

         Neither a substance perfect, nor a substance inchoate.
                                                  --Raleigh.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Inchoate \In"cho*ate\, v. t.
   To begin. [Obs.] --Dr. H. More.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

inchoate
    adj 1: only partly in existence; imperfectly formed; "incipient
           civil disorder"; "an incipient tumor"; "a vague inchoate
           idea" [syn: incipient, inchoate]