Webster's English Dictionary

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necessity

Cross references:
  1. need                  
 
ne.ces.si.ty \ni-'ses-*t-e-, -'ses-te-\ n [ME necessite, fr. MF necessite`, 
   fr. L necessitat-, nece]ssitas, fr. necesse 1: the quality or state of 
   being necessary : INDISPENSABILITY  2a: pressure of circumstance  2b: 
   natural compulsion {physical ~}  2c: impossibility of a contrary order or 
   condition  3: the quality or state of being in need; esp : POVERTY  4a: 
   something that is necessary : REQUIREMENT  4b: an urgent need or desire