Found 2 items, similar to expletive.
English → English (WordNet)
Definition: expletive
expletive
n 1: profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger;
“expletives were deleted” [syn:
curse,
curse word,
oath,
swearing,
swearword,
cuss]
2: a word or phrase conveying no independent meaning but added
to fill out a sentence or metrical line
English → English (gcide)
Definition: Expletive
Expletive
\Ex"ple*tive\, a. [L. expletivus, from expletus, p. p.
of explere to fill up; ex out+plere to fill, akin to plenus
full: cf. F. expl['e]tif. See
Full.]
Filling up; hence, added merely for the purpose of filling
up; superfluous.
“Expletive imagery.” --Hallam.
[1913 Webster]
Expletive phrases to plump his speech. --Barrow.
[1913 Webster]
Expletive
\Ex"ple*tive\, n.
A word, letter, or syllable not necessary to the sense, but
inserted to fill a vacancy; an oath.
[1913 Webster]
While explectives their feeble aid to join,
And ten low words oft creep in one dull line. --Pope.
[1913 Webster]