EXPLETIVE • DICCIONARIO INGLES.COM • Definition of Expletive

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/ˈɛksplətɪv/ Listen

Expletive

noun

Profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger. Synonyms: curse, curse word, cuss, oath, swearing, swearword.

A word or phrase conveying no independent meaning but added to fill out a sentence or metrical line.

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Etymology of 'Expletive'

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"Expletive" Quotes from Famous Books

... in an Inverness with a wide black hat pulled down over his eyes. For the moment she could not remember who he was, but by the time he had stopped in front of the big gate, giving utterance to a well delivered expletive, she knew him perfectly, and stood waiting, motionless, for him to turn and speak to her. She was sure that he would have no recollection of her. He turned, but it was some seconds before he ...

— Outside Inn • Ethel M. Kelley

... Living Tinker!" asseverates Captain Bingo, jerked out of his reclining attitude by vigorous utterance of the expletive, "you could have bowled me over with a scent-squirter when I came back to brekker and found her gone, and a cocked-hat note of farewell left for me on the dressing-table pincushion, in regular elopement style; and another for the ...

— The Dop Doctor • Clotilde Inez Mary Graves

... crimson blanket was for a moment over the head of Mr. Garvace, and his voice, muffled for an instant, broke out into unwonted expletive. ...

— The History of Mr. Polly • H. G. Wells

... Alec began his story notwithstanding, and as he went on, his friend became attentive, inserting here and there an expletive to the disadvantage of Beauchamp, whose behaviour with regard to Kate he now learned for the first time. When Alec had finished, Cupples ...

— Alec Forbes of Howglen • George MacDonald

... gently. However, this is no parlor game that you and I are playing, and desperate circumstances sometimes necessitate desperate measures. As for the blows I struck you—that is too bad, because you're old enough to be my father, but you displayed excessively bad taste in your choice of expletive. Even then I merely slapped you. But I'm sorry it ...

— The Long Chance • Peter B. Kyne

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