Need — Defs

01 n. A state that requires supply or relief; pressing occasion for something; necessity; urgent want.

1.
A state that requires supply or relief; pressing occasion for something; necessity; urgent want.
“And the city had no need of the sun.” — Rev. xxi. 23.

“I have no need to beg.” — Shak.

“Be governed by your needs, not by your fancy.” — Jer. Taylor.
2.
Want of the means of subsistence; poverty; indigence; destitution.
“Famine is in thy cheeks; Need and oppression starveth in thine eyes.” — Shak.
3.
That which is needful; anything necessary to be done; (pl.) necessary things; business.[Obs.]
4.
Situation of need; peril; danger.[Obs.]

Syn. Exigency; emergency; strait; extremity; necessity; distress; destitution; poverty; indigence; want; penury.

-- Need, Necessity. Necessity is stronger than need; it places us under positive compulsion. We are frequently under the necessity of going without that of which we stand very greatly in need. It is also with the corresponding adjectives; necessitous circumstances imply the direct pressure of suffering; needy circumstances, the want of aid or relief.

02 v. t. To be in want of; to have cause or occasion for; to lack; to require, as supply or relief.

imp. & p. p. Needed; p. pr. & vb. n. Needing

1.
To be in want of; to have cause or occasion for; to lack; to require, as supply or relief.
“Other creatures all day long Rove idle, unemployed, and less need rest.” — Milton.

03 v. i. To be wanted; to be necessary.

1.
To be wanted; to be necessary.
“When we have done it, we have done all that is in our power, and all that needs.” — Locke.

04 adv. Of necessity. See Needs.

1.
Of necessity. See Needs.[Obs.] See: Needs