01 a. Filling up; hence, added merely for the purpose of filling up; superfluous.
-
1.
Filling up; hence, added merely for the purpose of filling up; superfluous.“Expletive phrases to plump his speech.” — Barrow.
Entry
2 senses · 2 variants
Webster, 1913
Expletive
02 n. A word, letter, or syllable not necessary to the sense, but inserted to fill a vacancy; an oath.
-
1.
A word, letter, or syllable not necessary to the sense, but inserted to fill a vacancy; an oath.“While explectives their feeble aid to join, And ten low words oft creep in one dull line.” — Pope.