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Webster 1913 Edition

Expletive

Ex′ple-tive

,
Adj.
[L.
expletivus
, from
expletus
, p. p. of
explere
to fill up;
ex
out+
plere
to fill, akin to
plenus
full: cf. F.
explétif
. 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

,
Noun.
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.

Webster 1828 Edition

Expletive

EX'PLETIVE

,
Adj.
[L. expleo, to fill.] Filling; added for supply or ornament.

EX'PLETIVE

,
Noun.
In language, a word or syllable inserted to fill a vacancy, or for ornament. The Greek language abounds with expletives.

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