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'etif. See Full.]
Filling up; hence, added merely for the purpose of filling up; superfluous.
"
Expletive imagery."
Hallam.
Expletive phrases to plump his speech.
Barrow.
© Webster 1913.
Ex"ple*tive, n.
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.
© Webster 1913.