exigent — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Urgent; pressing; needing immediate action.

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   2003, Working Group Report on Detainee Interrogations, U.S. Department of Defence Article 2 also provides that acts of torture cannot be justified on the grounds of exigent circumstances, such as state of war or public emergency, or on orders from a superior officer or public authority.

2. Demanding; requiring great effort.

Noun

1. Extremity; end; limit; pressing urgency.

   Usage

   • Archaic

   Examples

   Theſe Eyes, like Lampes, whoſe waſting Oyle is ſpent, / Waxe dimme, as drawing to their Exigent.

   More examples (1)

   Therefore as one complaineth, that always in the Senate of Rome [Cicero 5° de finibus.], there was one or other that called for an interpreter: ſo leſt the Church be driuen to the like exigent, it is neceſſary to haue tranſlations in a readineſſe.

2. The amount that is required.

   Usage

   • Archaic

   Examples

   [H]is enterprise / Marked out anew, its exigent of wit / Apportioned, she at liberty to sit / And scheme against the next emergence, […]

3. A writ in proceedings before outlawry.

   Usage

   • UK usage
   • Obsolete

   Examples

   They also make forthe writs of executions, and of seifin, writs of super seders, for appearance to exigents

Adjective

1. demanding attention

   Synonyms

   clamantcryinginsistentinstant

   Examples

   clamant needs

   a crying need

   More examples (2)

   insistent hunger

   an instant need

2. requiring precise accuracy

   Synonyms

   exacting

   Examples

   an exacting job

   became more exigent over his pronunciation