Desideratum
[də-zi-də-RAH-dəm]
Part of speech: noun
Origin: Latin, mid-17th century
1.
Something that is needed or wanted.
Examples of Desideratum in a sentence
"A sense of humor is my first desideratum in a partner."
"I don't care about the monetary award, but my desideratum is recognition of the clean-water program."
About Desideratum
Desideratum describes a want or a need, but it goes beyond needing a gallon of milk from the grocery. It usually applies to a philosophical need, or the ultimate desire or outcome. As it comes from the Latin for "something desired," the plural is "desiderata."
Did you Know?
Desiderata is a poem written in 1927 by Max Ehrmann. It rose in popularity in the 1960s, even being recorded by Leonard Nimoy as "Spock Thoughts." The title is a plural of the word "desideratum," which means "something that is needed or wanted." The desideratum of the poem is clear in the last lines: "Be cheerful. Strive to be happy."
