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desideratum

[ dih-sid-uh-rey-tuhm, -rah-, -zid- ]
/ dɪˌsɪd əˈreɪ təm, -ˈrɑ-, -ˌzɪd- /
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noun, plural de·sid·er·a·ta [dih-sid-uh-rey-tuh, -rah-, -zid-]. /dɪˌsɪd əˈreɪ tə, -ˈrɑ-, -ˌzɪd-/.
something wanted or needed.
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Origin of desideratum

First recorded in 1645–55; from Latin, noun use of neuter past participle of dēsīderāre; see desiderate
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use desideratum in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for desideratum

desideratum
/ (dɪˌzɪdəˈrɑːtəm) /

noun plural -ta (-tə)
something lacked and wanted

Word Origin for desideratum

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
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