optative etymology

Etymology

The word "optative" comes from the Latin word "optō," which means "to wish" or "to desire." It is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*peh₂-," which also means "to desire."

Meaning

In grammar, the optative is a mood that expresses a wish, hope, or desire. It is typically used in subordinate clauses to express a desire for something that is not certain or possible.

Origin

The optative mood is found in many languages, including ancient Greek, Latin, Sanskrit, and Armenian. In ancient Greek, the optative was used to express a wide range of wishes and desires, including:

  • Wishes for something to happen
  • Requests for something to happen
  • Hopes for something to happen
  • Fears of something happening
  • Desires for something to be different

In Latin, the optative was used more sparingly than in Greek. It was typically used to express wishes and requests.

In English, the optative mood is not as common as it is in other languages. However, it can still be found in some expressions, such as "I wish I had known" and "I hope you have a good day."

optative relate terms

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