exigent
UK/'eksidʒәnt/US
GREC2
Definitions
adj.
Pressing or demanding immediate action; urgent
紧急的，迫切的
adj.
Requiring a great deal; exacting
苛求的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedex- (out) + agere (drive) → exigere ('drive out, demand') + -ent = driving you to act now. The same exigere that gave exact: an exigent situation 'drives the demand out of you' — it won't wait. Note the root surfaces as -ig-.
Root ag still carries 21 more wordsWhy It Means This
exigent shares its root with exact — both from exigere, 'to drive out, demand.' An exigent situation drives a demand out of you that cannot be put off. The legal phrase 'exigent circumstances' means an emergency pressing enough to override normal rules.
Example Sentences
- 1.
The police entered without a warrant due to exigent circumstances.
- 2.
These are exigent demands on our limited budget.