| optative mood |
| Definition: The grammatical mood that expresses either wishes or desires. |
| Example: The term is more applicable to languages like ancient Greek and Albanian. However, the phrase Heaven Forfend (i.e., Heaven protect us) is an example of this mood in English. |
| Etymology: The word ultimately derives from the Latin optatus, which is the past participle of optare, to desire or choose. Note: The Latin grammarians, such as Priscian, called it optativus modus. |
| Oxford English Dictionary: The term's first OED citation is from 1530: "The optative mode whiche they use whan they wisshe a dede to be done, as bien parle il, wel speke he or well myght he speke." (Palsgr. 84) |