/
ɪkˈspliːtɪv,
ɛk-/
n.
- an oath or swear word.
- Grammar a word or phrase used to fill out a sentence or a line of verse without adding to the sense.
adj.
Grammar (of a word or phrase) serving to fill out a sentence or line of verse.
Etymology
ME (as adj.): from late L. expletivus, from explere ‘fill out’.