optative

[ op-tuh-tiv ]

adjective

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

the optative mood.
a verb in the optative mood.

Origin of optative

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use optative in a sentence

An optative of this nature in the Lule language has already been mentioned.
The Philosophic Grammar of American Languages, as Set Forth by Wilhelm von Humboldt | Daniel G. Brinton
The perfect of the optative is the second form of the future followed by the particle mono vo!
Diego Collado's Grammar of the Japanese Language | Diego Collado
The preterit of the optative is formed by placing mono vo after the negative future; e.g., aguru mai mono vo 'oh!
Diego Collado's Grammar of the Japanese Language | Diego Collado
Shall is confined to a sort of optative, indicating much more than mere intention, and even here it is yielding to will.
The American Language | Henry L. Mencken
The form aguei is used by Collado in the construction of the optative below.
Diego Collado's Grammar of the Japanese Language | Diego Collado

British Dictionary definitions for optative

optative

/ (ˈɒptətɪv) /

adjective

indicating or expressing choice, preference, or wish
grammar denoting a mood of verbs in Greek, Sanskrit, etc, expressing a wish

noun

grammar
- the optative mood
- a verb in this mood

Origin of optative

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

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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