Definitions for: Expletive


[n] profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger; "expletives were deleted"
[n] a word or phrase conveying no independent meaning but added to fill out a sentence or metrical line



Webster (1913) Definition: Ex"ple*tive, a. [L. expletivus, from expletus, p. p.
of explere to fill up; ex out+plere to fill, akin to plenus
full: cf. F. expl['e]tif. See Full.]
Filling up; hence, added merely for the purpose of filling
up; superfluous. ``Expletive imagery.'' --Hallam.

Expletive phrases to plump his speech. --Barrow.


Ex"ple*tive, n.
A word, letter, or syllable not necessary to the sense, but
inserted to fill a vacancy; an oath.

While explectives their feeble aid to join, And ten low
words oft creep in one dull line. --Pope.

Synonyms: curse, curse word, cuss, oath, swearing, swearword

See Also: profanity, utterance, vocalization

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