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optatively

optatively

9.9
In a way that shows a wish or hope
  • adverb
  • /ˈɑːptəˌtɪvli/
  • Specialized
: de manera optativa
  • In some languages, verbs can be used optatively to express hopes or wishes.

Examples

  • She spoke optatively, wishing her friend success in the new job.

  • The sentence was structured optatively to convey hope.

  • The poet wrote optatively, hoping for a better future in every line.

  • He spoke optatively about his future plans.

  • In some languages, verbs can be used optatively to express hopes or wishes.

  • She spoke optatively, wishing her friend success in the new job.

  • The poet wrote optatively, hoping for a better future in every line.

Synonyms

wishfully
vsoptatively
1 6.8

In a way that shows hope for something you want but can't have

expresses desire or wish in grammatical or formal constructions

Surface Forms

optatively positive

Morphology

optatively = optative (transparent) = optative + ly

The adverb is formed by the productive suffix '-ly' from the adjective 'optative', so the adverbial meaning is directly derived from the adjective.

Etymology

The word optatively comes from the Latin root opt- meaning 'to wish' or 'to choose', the same root you see in opt and option, so to speak optatively is to say something 'with a wish' or in a way that shows hope.