desiderata
[dih-sid-uh-rey-tuh, -rah-, -zid-]
- things wanted or needed; the plural of desideratum: “Happily-ever-after” and “eternal love” appear to be the desiderata of the current generation; to whom “fat chance” say those of us who are older, wiser, and more curmudgeonly.
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desideratum
[dih-sid-uh-rey-tuh m, -rah-, -zid-]
- something wanted or needed.
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Origin of desideratum
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for desiderata
Historical Examples
These plants were therefore the rage; and, consequently, the desiderata of the nurseryman.
The Plant HuntersMayne Reid
Priestley has ably given the desiderata of electricity, vision, &c.
Practical Education, Volume IIMaria Edgeworth
"Desiderata" he said slowly, and the colour left his face as he pronounced it.
The DevourersAnnie Vivanti Chartres
The system of Delsarte responds to all these desiderata of æsthetics.
Delsarte System of OratoryVarious
A proper account and explanation of this is, I think, amongst the desiderata of literature.
Trips to the MoonLucian
desiderata
- the plural of desideratum
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desideratum
- something lacked and wanted
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Word Origin
C17: from Latin; see desiderate
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for desiderata
n.
plural of desideratum (1650s), from Latin, literally "something for which desire is felt," from past participle stem of desiderare "to long for" (see desire).
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desideratum
n.
"something lacking," see desiderata.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper