desideratum

The story

1. Latin · derived fromdēsīderāta
2. Latin · learned borrowing fromdēsīderātum“something that is desired”
3. English todaydesideratum

Learned borrowing from Latin dēsīderātum (“something that is desired”), neuter nominative singular of dēsīderātus, the passive past participle of dēsīderāre (“to desire”), from dēsīderō (“to desire, want, wish for”), from de- (intensifying prefix) + possibly sīdus (“star; constellation”) though the connection is unclear. The English word is cognate with French desideratum, Spanish desiderátum. The plural is derived from Latin dēsīderāta.

First known use, by meaning

• from mid 17th c. Something that is wished for, or considered desirable, particularly when thought to be essential.