exoptation

English

Etymology

From Latin exoptatio.

Noun

exoptation (plural not attested)

1. (archaic) An earnest wishing or desire.
   • 1626, Stephen Denison, Another Tombestone‎^[1]:

     Come we now to the ſecond, namely the exoptation in theſe words

   • 1810, Alicia Tindal Palmer, The Daughters of Isenberg: A Barvarian Romance‎^[2]:

     "That which most excites my marvel," said the lady, "is the exoptation which my eldest niece has enunciated!

   • 1841, Rev. Thomas Hall, The Life, Adventures, and Opinions of a Liverpool Policeman‎^[3]:

     first we thought it was an oath, but soon discovered that it was an exoptation for his success