exigent (adj.)

1660s, "urgent," a back-formation from exigency or else from Latin exigentem (nominative exigens), present participle of exigere "to demand; drive out, drive forth."

Entries linking to exigent

exigency (n.)

1580s, "that which is needed," from French exigence, from Latin exigentia "urgency," from exigentem (nominative exigens), present participle of exigere "demand, require, enforce," literally "to drive or force out," also "to finish, measure," from ex "out" (see ex-) + agere "to set in motion, drive, drive forward; to do, perform" (from PIE root *ag- "to drive, draw out or forth, move"). Meaning "state of being urgent" is from 1769. Related: Exigencies (1650s).

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updated on May 03, 2020

Definitions of exigent from WordNet

exigent (adj.)

demanding attention; "regarded literary questions as exigent and momentous"- H.L.Mencken;

Synonyms: clamant / crying / insistent / instant

exigent (adj.)

requiring precise accuracy;

became more exigent over his pronunciation

Synonyms: exacting

From wordnet.princeton.edu, not affiliated with etymonline.

Dictionary entries near exigent

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existence

existent