optative

[ op-tuh-tiv ]
/ ˈɒp tə tɪv /
Grammar

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

opt, opt in, opt out, opt-, opt., optative, optesthesia, optic, optic axis, optic canal, optic capsule

Example sentences from the Web for optative

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
  1. the optative mood
  2. a verb in this mood

Word Origin for optative

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