definition of precatory
Anything that's precatory has something to do with hoping or wishing for something, rather than requiring it. If your school's dress code is precatory, it's more of a suggestion than a hard and fast rule. Precatory is a formal (and rare) adjective that means entreating or requesting.. A precatory list of school supplies, for example, would be things the teacher hopes each student will bring on the first day, rather than required items.