optative
pronunciation
How to pronounce optative in British English:
UK ['ɒptətɪv]
How to pronounce optative in American English:
US ['ɒptətɪv]
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- Noun:
- a mood (as in Greek or Sanskrit) that expresses a wish or hope; expressed in English by modal verbs
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- Adjective:
- indicating an option or wish
- relating to a mood of verbs in some languages
Word Origin
- optative
- in reference to grammatical mood expressing wish or desire, 1520s, from Middle French optatif (15c.), from Late Latin optativus, from Latin optatus "wished, desired, longed for," past participle of optare "to choose, wish, desire" (see option).