v.
Pronunciation: ri- ' kw ī (- ə )r
Function: verb
Inflected Form: re · quired ; re · quir · ing
Etymology: Middle English requeren, from Anglo-French requere, from Vulgar Latin *requaerere to seek for, need, require, alteration of Latin requirere, from re- + quaerere to seek, ask
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 a : to claim or ask for by right and authority b archaic : REQUEST
2 a : to call for as suitable or appropriate <the occasion require s formal dress> b : to demand as necessary or essential : have a compelling need for <all living beings require food>
3 : to impose a compulsion or command on : COMPEL
4 chiefly British : to feel or be obliged ― used with a following infinitive <one does not require to be a specialist ― Elizabeth Bowen>
intransitive verb archaic : ASK
synonyms see DEMAND