optative Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a mood (as in Greek or Sanskrit) that expresses a wish or hope; expressed in English by modal verbs
    optative mood.
  2. adjective indicating an option or wish
  3. adjective relating to a mood of verbs in some languages
    • optative verb endings

WordNet

Op"ta*tive adjective
Etymology
L. optativus: cf. F. optatif.
Definitions
  1. Expressing desire or wish. Fuller.
Op"ta*tive noun
Etymology
Cf. F. optatif.
Definitions
  1. Something to be desired. R. Bacon.
  2. (Gram.) The optative mood; also, a verb in the optative mood.

Webster 1913