expletive

Pronunciation key ( eks′pli-tiv )

ex•ple•tive

n.

[LL. expletivus serving to fill < L. expletus, pp. of explere, to fill; ex-, out, up + plere, to fill].

1. Oath or exclamation that is typically obscene or profane.
2. Word, phrase, etc. that does not contribute to the sense or meaning of a phrase but used merely to fill out a sentence or metrical line, for rhythm, balance, etc.
3. A word that stands alone with anticipation of following words or a phrase such as "There are many cars in the parking lot." The word There serves as an expletive.

adj.

1. Added or inserted to fill out a sentence, metrical line, etc.

References

Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1955

The American Heritage Dictionary, Second College Edition ©1985

Further Reading

expletory