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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.
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
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Other Words From
- opta·tive·ly adverb
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Word History and Origins
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Word History and Origins
Origin of optative1
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Example Sentences
An optative of this nature in the Lule language has already been mentioned.
The perfect of the optative is the second form of the future followed by the particle mono vo!
The preterit of the optative is formed by placing mono vo after the negative future; e.g., aguru mai mono vo 'oh!
Shall is confined to a sort of optative, indicating much more than mere intention, and even here it is yielding to will.
The form aguei is used by Collado in the construction of the optative below.
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