I. ˈek-splə-tiv 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
II. adjective
Etymology: Late Latin expletivus, from Latin expletus, past participle of explēre to fill out, from ex- + plēre to fill — more at full
Date: 1666
1. : serving to fill up
expletive phrases
2. : marked by the use of expletives