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prettygoodwordprecatory (PREK-uh-tohr-ee) - adj., of, pertaining to, or resembling a prayer; expressing an entreaty or supplication; (Law) expressing a wish or desire but not creating any legal obligation or duty.
The first is the original sense, the second a metaphoric extension, and the third a jargon usage. In legal terms, in a will, an expression of desire ("it is my wish that my daughter will not sell the house in her lifetime") is precatory and not legally binding (she can sell it any time). Borrowed in 1635 or so from Late Latin precatorius, relating to petitions, from Latin precari, to beg, pray. (I'd put the proper macrons on that Latin, but every time I paste them, Firefox freaks out like it never has before.)
---L.
The first is the original sense, the second a metaphoric extension, and the third a jargon usage. In legal terms, in a will, an expression of desire ("it is my wish that my daughter will not sell the house in her lifetime") is precatory and not legally binding (she can sell it any time). Borrowed in 1635 or so from Late Latin precatorius, relating to petitions, from Latin precari, to beg, pray. (I'd put the proper macrons on that Latin, but every time I paste them, Firefox freaks out like it never has before.)
---L.
