demand

—demandable, adj. —demander, n.

/di mand", -mahnd"/, v.t.

1. to ask for with proper authority; claim as a right: He demanded payment of the debt.

2. to ask for peremptorily or urgently: He demanded sanctuary. She demanded that we let her in.

3. to call for or require as just, proper, or necessary: This task demands patience. Justice demands objectivity.

4. Law.

a. to lay formal legal claim to.

b. to summon, as to court.

v.i.

5. to make a demand; inquire; ask.

n.

6. the act of demanding.

7. something that is demanded.

8. an urgent or pressing requirement: demands upon one's time.

9. Econ.

a. the desire to purchase, coupled with the power to do so.

b. the quantity of goods that buyers will take at a particular price.

10. a requisition; a legal claim: The demands of the client could not be met.

11. the state of being wanted or sought for purchase or use: an article in great demand.

12. Archaic. inquiry; question.

13. on demand, upon presentation or request for payment: The fee is payable on demand.

[1250-1300; ME demaunden < AF demaunder < ML demandare to demand, L to entrust, equiv. to de- DE- + mandare to commission, order; see MANDATE]

Syn. 3. exact. DEMAND, CLAIM, REQUIRE imply making an authoritative request. To DEMAND is to ask in a bold, authoritative way: to demand an explanation. To CLAIM is to assert a right to something: He claimed it as his due. To REQUIRE is to ask for something as being necessary; to compel: The Army requires absolute obedience of its soldiers.

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