a. [as if ad. L. type *explētōrius, f. explēre: see EXPLETE v.] Serving to fill up; = EXPLETIVE A.

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1679.  Burnet, Hist. Ref., I. III. 243. An expletory word.

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1797.  Brit. Critic, Feb., 171. Dr. Garden is so fond of this expletory embellishment.

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1823.  Lamb, Elia (1860), 31. With the expletory yell, ‘and I will, too.’

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1853.  Whewell, trans. Grotius de Jure Belli et Pacis, II. II. § 3. In punishment the justice which is exercised is expletory justice [L. justitia expletrix].

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