2 entries under this word

Optative

Ŏp'ta-tĭve, a.

adjective

[Lat. optativus, Fr. optatif.] Expressing desire or wish.

Optative mode (Gram.), that form of the verb in which wish or desire is expressed.

noun

[Fr. optatif, Pr. optatiu, Sp. & Pg. optativo, It. ottativo, Lat. modus optativus. See supra.]

Sense 1. Something to be desired. [Obs.] Bacon.

Sense 2. (Gram.) A mode of the verb expressing desire.