desideratum
Advancedzipf 1.47Pronunciation
/dɪˌzɪdəˈrɑːtəm/(dih-zid-uh-RAH-tum)
Part of speech
nounformal
Chinese
迫切需要的东西;渴望之物
Definition
Something that is needed or wanted; a requirement.
Word family
- desiderata/dɪˌzɪdəˈrɑːtə/(n
- plural)渴望之物
Collocations
- a key desideratum
- the chief desideratum
- among the desiderata
- fulfill the desiderata
Examples
- 1.Clarity of expression is a desideratum in all good legal writing. (essential requirement)
- 2.Among the desiderata for the new office were natural light and proximity to transport. (desired features)
Synonyms
- requirement/rɪˈkwaɪəmənt/— needed thing
- prerequisite/priːˈrɛkwɪzɪt/— necessary condition
- necessity/nɪˈsɛsɪti/— essential thing
Etymology
from Latin "desideratum" = something desired — "desiderare" = to long for — that which is longed for