desideratum

Advancedzipf 1.47

Pronunciation

/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. 1.Clarity of expression is a desideratum in all good legal writing. (essential requirement)
  2. 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