n.
Pronunciation: ni- ' se-s ə -t ē , - ' ses-t ē
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -ties
Etymology: Middle English necessite, from Anglo-French necessité, from Latin necessitat-, necessitas, from necesse
Date: 14th century
1 : the quality or state of being necessary
2 a : pressure of circumstance b : physical or moral compulsion c : impossibility of a contrary order or condition
3 : the quality or state of being in need especially : POVERTY
4 a : something that is necessary : REQUIREMENT b : an urgent need or desire
– of necessity : in such a way that it cannot be otherwise also : as a necessary consequence <further changes will occur of necessity >