Subjunctive Definition

səb-jŭngktĭv
adjective
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”)
Webster's New World

(grammar, of a verb) Inflected to indicate that an act or state of being is possible, contingent or hypothetical, and not a fact. English examples include so be it; I wouldn't if I were you; were I a younger man, I would fight back; I asked that he leave.

Wiktionary
noun
The subjunctive mood.
Webster's New World
A verb in this mood.
Webster's New World
A subjunctive construction.
American Heritage
Synonyms:

Other Word Forms of Subjunctive

Noun

Singular:
subjunctive
Plural:
subjunctives

Origin of Subjunctive

  • From Latin subjunctivus (“serving to join, connecting, in grammar applies to the subjunctive mode"), from subjungere (“to add, join, subjoin"), from sub (“under") + jungere (“to join, yoke"); see join.

    From Wiktionary

  • Late Latin subiūnctīvus from Latin subiūnctus past participle of subiungere to subjoin, subordinate (translation of Greek hupotaktikos subordinate, subjunctive) subjoin

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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