“The word ‘inchoate,’ not much used in ordinary discourse, means ‘just begun,’ ‘undeveloped.’ The common law has given birth to three general offences which are usually termed ‘inchoate’ or ‘preliminary’ crimes — attempt, conspiracy, and incitement. A principal feature of these crimes is that they are committed even though the substantive offence is not successfully consummated. An attempt fails, a conspiracy comes to nothing, words of incitement are ignored — in all these instances, there may be liability for the inchoate crime.” Andrew Ashworth, Principles of Criminal Law 395 (1991).
inchoate
inchoate (in-koh-it), adj. Partially completed or imperfectly formed; just begun. Cf. CHOATE. — inchoateness, n.
