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Webster 1913 Edition


Optative

Op′ta-tive

,
Adj.
[L.
optativus
: cf. F.
optatif
.]
Expressing desire or wish.
Fuller.
Optative mood
(Gram.)
,
that mood or form of a verb, as in Greek, Sanskrit, etc., in which a wish or desire is expressed.

Op′ta-tive

,
Noun.
[Cf. F.
optatif
.]
1.
Something to be desired.
[R.]
Bacon.
2.
(Gram.)
The optative mood; also, a verb in the optative mood.

Webster 1828 Edition


Optative

OP'TATIVE

,
Adj.
[L. optativus, from opto, to desire or wish.]
Expressing desire or wish. The optative mode, in grammar, is that form of the verb in which wish or desire is expressed.

OP'TATIVE

,
Noun.
Something to be desired. [Little used.]