a. rare. [ad. med.L. supplētīvus, f. supplēt: see SUPPLETE and -IVE. Cf. F. supplétif.] Having the attribute of supplying deficiencies.
1816–30. Bentham, Offic. Apt. Maximized, Extract Const. Code, 52. His functions will be exercised by a depute of his, as per Ch. viii. Prime Minister, § 4. Self-suppletive Function.
1862. F. Hall, Hindu Philos. Syst., § 3. Cognition is here denoted by the suppletive expression after ‘will.’
So † Suppletively adv., so as to supply deficiencies.
1644. Maxwell, Prerog. Chr. Kings, x. 104. This tenet, that a King hath his Soveraigne power, communicativé, not privativé, from the people, that he is so invested with it, that the people have it habitually, suppletively, and may resume it in some exigent cases.
[Cf. 1660. Bonde, Scut. Reg., 7. The people … still retaining the same [government] in the collective body, that is to say, in themselves suppletive.]
