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:

Synonyms:
subjunctive-mood

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