wishful
Meaning
having or showing a desire for something that is difficult to get or achieve
based on wishes rather than facts
Structure
Usage
she listened with wishful attention to stories of life abroad.
it is merely wishful thinking to believe the problem will solve itself.
his analysis was criticized as being overly optimistic and wishful.
Etymology
the word "wishful" is a transparent compound formed within english from its germanic roots. the core element "wish" descends from the proto-germanic wunskōną, conveying the concept of desire or longing. the adjectival suffix "-ful", originating from old english full meaning "full," is attached to nouns to create adjectives denoting an abundance of the quality. thus, the literal construction "full of wish" evolved into the modern abstract sense of having or showing a desire, often one that is unrealistic or not grounded in reality.
Analysis
wish (from old english wȳscan, meaning "to wish, desire, long for"; functions as the core semantic root). ful (from old english -ful, a suffix meaning "full of"; functions as an adjective-forming suffix).