Ex″ple‐tive (?), a. [L. expletivus, from expletus, p. p. of explere to fill up; ex out+plere to fill, akin to plenus full: cf. F. explétif. See Full.] Filling up; hence, added merely for the purpose of filling up; superfluous. “Expletive imagery.” Hallam.
Expletive phrases to plump his speech. Barrow.