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Origin and history of desiderata

desiderata(n.)

"things desired or desirable, that which is lacking or required," 1650s, plural of desideratum, Latin, literally "something for which desire is felt," noun use of neuter past participle of desiderare "to long for" (see desire (v.)).

A Latin word in English; other offshoots of the Latin verb were nativized in Middle English: desiderable "wished for, desired" (mid-14c.), also "worthy of being admired;" desideracioun "longing, yearning" (late 15c.); desiderantly "with ardent desire" (c. 1500). Also compare obsolete desiderate "feel a desire or longing for" (1640s).

also from 1650s

Entries linking to desiderata

desire(v.)

"to wish or long for, express a wish to obtain," c. 1200, desiren, from Old French desirrer (12c.) "wish, desire, long for," from Latin desiderare "long for, wish for; demand, expect," the original sense perhaps being "await what the stars will bring," from the phrase de sidere "from the stars," from sidus (genitive sideris) "heavenly body, star, constellation" (but see consider). Related: Desired; desiring.

desiderative(adj.)

1550s, in grammar, of a verb, "formed to signify the desire for the action or condition denoted by the simple verb;" see desiderata + -ive. As a noun, "a desiderative verb," from 1751.

desideratum(n.)

"something lacking," see desiderata.

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