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necessity
The definition of a necessity is something that is absolutely needed.
(noun)An example of a necessity is water for life.
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See necessity in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun pl. necessities
- the power of natural law that cannot be other than it is; natural causation; physical compulsion placed on man by nature; fate
- anything that is inevitable, unavoidable, etc. as a result of natural law; that which is necessary in natural sequence
- the compulsion or constraint of man-made circumstances, habit, custom, law, etc.; logical or moral conditions making certain actions inevitable or obligatory: faced by the necessity to earn a living
- what is required by this social or legal compulsion
- great or imperative need
- something that cannot be done without; necessary thing: often used in pl.
- the state or quality of being necessary
- want; poverty
Origin: ME necessite < OFr nécessité < L necessitas < necesse: see necessary
See necessity in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun pl. ne·ces·si·ties
- a. The condition or quality of being necessary.b. Something necessary: The necessities of life include food, clothing, and shelter.
- a. Something dictated by invariable physical laws.b. The force exerted by circumstance.
- The state or fact of being in need.
- Pressing or urgent need, especially that arising from poverty.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English necessite
Origin: , from Old French
Origin: , from Latin necessitās
Origin: , from necesse, necessary; see necessary
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