Main Entry: ¹ex·ple·tive

Pronunciation: \ˈek-splə-tiv\

Function: noun

Date: 1612

1 a : a syllable, word, or phrase inserted to fill a vacancy (as in a sentence or a metrical line) without adding to the sense; especially : a word (as it in “make it clear which you prefer”) that occupies the position of the subject or object of a verb in normal English word order and anticipates a subsequent word or phrase that supplies the needed meaningful content b : an exclamatory word or phrase; especially : one that is obscene or profane
2 : one that serves to fill out or as a filling