— demandable , adj. — demander , n.
/di mand", -mahnd"/ , v.t.
1. to ask for with proper authority; claim as a right: He demanded payment of the debt.
2. to ask for peremptorily or urgently: He demanded sanctuary. She demanded that we let her in.
3. to call for or require as just, proper, or necessary: This task demands patience. Justice demands objectivity.
4. Law.
a. to lay formal legal claim to.
b. to summon, as to court.
v.i.
5. to make a demand; inquire; ask.
n.
6. the act of demanding.
7. something that is demanded.
8. an urgent or pressing requirement: demands upon one's time.
9. Econ.
a. the desire to purchase, coupled with the power to do so.
b. the quantity of goods that buyers will take at a particular price.
10. a requisition; a legal claim: The demands of the client could not be met.
11. the state of being wanted or sought for purchase or use: an article in great demand.
12. Archaic. inquiry; question.
13. on demand , upon presentation or request for payment: The fee is payable on demand.
[ 1250-1300; ME demaunden demaunder demandare to demand, L to entrust, equiv. to de- DE- + mandare to commission, order; see MANDATE ]
Syn. 3. exact. DEMAND, CLAIM, REQUIRE imply making an authoritative request. To DEMAND is to ask in a bold, authoritative way: to demand an explanation. To CLAIM is to assert a right to something: He claimed it as his due. To REQUIRE is to ask for something as being necessary; to compel: The Army requires absolute obedience of its soldiers.