necessity
//nɪˈsɛsəti//
Forms
- Plural
- necessities
Definitions
1.The quality or state of being necessary, unavoidable, or absolutely requisite.
- I bought a new table out of necessity. My old one was ruined.
- Educating the public about some of the myths that underlie their fears that non-traditional families will of necessity be detrimental to the well-being of foster children.
2.The condition of being needy; desperate need; lack.
- For it is in vain for a man to think to seek God in his necessity and exigence, if he seek not God in his ordinances, and do not joy in them.
3.Something necessary; a requisite; something indispensable.
- A tent is a necessity if you plan on camping.
- Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.
4.Something which makes an act or an event unavoidable; an irresistible force; overruling power.
- After eating a full meal, the human body's necessity for food will compel the person to eat again in the future.
Frequency
Overall
Rare· #4153
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Rare
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Related words
Synonyms
Etymology
From Middle English necessite, from Old French necessite, from Latin necessitās (“unavoidableness, compulsion, exigency, necessity”), from necesse (“unavoidable, inevitable”); see necessary.
Doublet of Necessitas.