desideratum

Meaning

Noun

• Something that is wished for, or considered desirable, particularly when thought to be essential.

Origin

• , neuter nominative singular of dēsīderātus, the passive past participle of dēsīderāre, from dēsīderō, from de- + possibly sīdus though the connection is unclear. The English word is cognate with French desideratum, Spanish desiderátum.
• The plural is derived from Latin dēsīderāta.