I. ˈeksəjənt also ˈegzə- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English exigent, exigend, from Anglo-French exigende, from Medieval Latin exigenda, from Latin, feminine singular or neuter plural of exigendus, gerundive of exigere to drive out, demand
English law : a writ formerly issued summoning a person on pain of outlawry
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, probably from Latin exigent-, exigens
obsolete : time of crisis or need : exigency , extremity
III. ˈeksəjənt also ˈegzə- adjective
also ex·i·geant āgzēzhäⁿ
Etymology: exigent from Latin exigent-, exigens, present participle of exigere to drive out, demand; exigeant from French, present participle of exiger to demand, from Latin exigere — more at exact
1. : exacting or requiring immediate aid or action : pressing , critical
regarded literary questions as exigent and momentous — H.L.Mencken
2. : requiring or calling for much : hard to satisfy : demanding , exacting
they have so much to guard in the way of social status that they have become very exigent in their ideas of what they are willing to do
Synonyms: see pressing