expletive Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
    swearing; swearword; cuss; curse; oath; curse word.
    • expletives were deleted
  2. noun a word or phrase conveying no independent meaning but added to fill out a sentence or metrical line

WordNet

Ex"ple*tive adjective
Etymology
L. expletivus, from expletus, p.p. of explere to fill up; ex out+plere to fill, akin to plenus full: cf. F. explétif. See Full.
Definitions
  1. Filling up; hence, added merely for the purpose of filling up; superfluous. "Expletive imagery." Hallam.
    Expletive phrases to plump his speech. Barrow.
Ex"ple*tive noun
Definitions
  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.

Webster 1913