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Desideratum

//dɪˌsɪdəˈɹɑːtəm// noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    Something that is wished for, or considered desirable, particularly when thought to be essential.

    "It having hitherto been a deſideratum to draw ſilver wire fine enough for aſtronomical uſes, our author's improvement "conſiſts in nothing but in flattening the fineſt wires which are now drawn.""

  2. 2
    something desired as a necessity wordnet

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Latin dēsīderātum (“something that is desired”), neuter nominative singular of dēsīderātus, the passive past participle of dēsīderāre (“to desire”), from dēsīderō (“to desire, want, wish for”), from de- (intensifying prefix) + possibly sīdus (“star; constellation”) though the connection is unclear. The English word is cognate with French desideratum, Spanish desiderátum. The plural is derived from Latin dēsīderāta.

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