optative

[ op-tuh-tiv ]

adjective
  1. designating or pertaining to a verb mood, as in Greek, that has among its functions the expression of a wish, as Greek íoimen “may we go, we wish we might go.”

noun
  1. the optative mood.

  2. a verb in the optative mood.

Origin of optative

1
1520–30; <Late Latin optātīvus, equivalent to Latin optāt(us) (past participle of optāre;see opt, -ate1) + -īvus-ive

Other words from optative

  • op·ta·tive·ly, adverb

Words Nearby optative

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How to use optative in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for optative

optative

/ (ˈɒptətɪv) /


adjective
  1. indicating or expressing choice, preference, or wish

  2. grammar denoting a mood of verbs in Greek, Sanskrit, etc, expressing a wish

noun
  1. grammar

    • the optative mood

    • a verb in this mood

Origin of optative

1
C16: via French optatif, from Late Latin optātīvus, from Latin optāre to desire

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