subjunctives

a. [ L. subjunctivus, fr. subjungere, subjunctum, to subjoin: cf. F. subjonctif. See Subjoin. ] Subjoined or added to something before said or written. [ 1913 Webster ]

Subjunctive mood (Gram.), that form of a verb which express the action or state not as a fact, but only as a conception of the mind still contingent and dependent. It is commonly subjoined, or added as subordinate, to some other verb, and in English is often connected with it by if, that, though, lest, unless, except, until, etc., as in the following sentence: “If there were no honey, they [ bees ] would have no object in visiting the flower.” Lubbock. In some languages, as in Latin and Greek, the subjunctive is often independent of any other verb, being used in wishes, commands, exhortations, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]