exigence
UK[ˈɛksɪdʒəns]US[ˈɛksɪdʒəns]
n
An urgent need or demand.
n
A state of affairs that requires immediate action or attention.
Morpheme Breakdown
exig
ence
exig
demand
ence
noun suffix
Etymology
The word "exigence" originates from the Latin verb exigere, meaning "to demand, drive out, or measure out precisely." This verb itself is a compound of ex- (out) and agere (to drive, do, act), conveying the sense of driving something out to its conclusion or demanding a precise standard. The suffix -ence was added to form the Late Latin noun exigentia, denoting the state or quality of demanding. Entering English in the late 16th century, the term evolved from its literal roots of demanding payment or action to its modern abstract meaning, describing an urgent situation or pressing requirement that demands immediate attention.
Analysis
Structure: exig (demand) + ence (noun suffix)
- exig: From Latin exigere (to demand, drive out, measure precisely), meaning "to demand".
- ence: A noun-forming suffix from Latin -entia, indicating a state, quality, or condition.
Examples
The exigence of the crisis required a swift and decisive response from the government.
In his speech, the mayor outlined the financial exigence facing the city.
The novel captures the moral exigence of choosing between personal safety and public duty.