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optative

 - 2 dictionary results

op⋅ta⋅tive

  [op-tuh-tiv] Grammar
Use optative in a Sentence
–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
2. the optative mood.
3. a verb in the optative mood.
Origin:
1520–30; < LL optātīvus, equiv. to L optāt(us) (ptp. of optāre; see opt, -ate 1 ) + -īvus -ive

Related forms:
op⋅ta⋅tive⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To optative
op·ta·tive   (ŏp'tə-tĭv)   
adj.  

  1. Expressing a wish or choice.

  2. Grammar

    1. Of, relating to, or being a mood of verbs in some languages, such as Greek, used to express a wish.

    2. Designating a statement using a verb in the subjunctive mood to indicate a wish or desire, as in Had I the means, I would do it.

n.   Grammar

  1. The optative mood.

  2. A verb or an expression in the optative mood.


[Middle English optatif, from Old French, from Late Latin optātīvus, from Latin optātus, past participle of optāre, to wish.]
op'ta·tive·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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