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subjunctive definition

sub·junc·tive (səb juŋk′tiv)

adjective

Gram. designating or of the mood of a verb that is used to express supposition, desire, hypothesis, possibility, etc., rather than to state an actual fact (Ex.: the mood of were in “if I were you”)

Etymology: LL subjunctivus < L subjunctus, pp. of subjungere, to subjoin

noun

  1. the subjunctive mood
  2. a verb in this mood

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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