n.
Pronunciation: ' ek-spl ə -tiv
Function: noun
Date: 1612
1 a : a syllable, word, or phrase inserted to fill a vacancy (as in a sentence or a metrical line) without adding to the sense especially : a word (as it in “ make it clear which you prefer ” ) that occupies the position of the subject or object of a verb in normal English word order and anticipates a subsequent word or phrase that supplies the needed meaningful content b : an exclamatory word or phrase especially : one that is obscene or profane
2 : one that serves to fill out or as a filling