— needer , n.
/need/ , n.
1. a requirement, necessary duty, or obligation: There is no need for you to go there.
2. a lack of something wanted or deemed necessary: to fulfill the needs of the assignment.
3. urgent want, as of something requisite: He has no need of your charity.
4. necessity arising from the circumstances of a situation or case: There is no need to worry.
5. a situation or time of difficulty; exigency: to help a friend in need; to be a friend in need.
6. a condition marked by the lack of something requisite: the need for leadership.
7. destitution; extreme poverty: The family's need is acute.
8. if need be , should the necessity arise: If need be, I can type the letters myself.
v.t.
9. to have need of; require: to need money.
v.i.
10. to be under an obligation (used as an auxiliary, typically in an interrogative or in a negative statement, and fol. by infinitive, in certain cases without to; in the 3d pers. sing. the form is need, not needs ): He need not go.
11. to be in need or want.
12. to be necessary: There needs no apology.
[ bef. 900; (n.) ME nede, OE ned (WSaxon nied ), c. G Not, ON nauth, Goth nauths; (v.) ME neden, OE neodian, deriv. of the n. ]
Syn. 2, 3. See lack. 3. requirement. 4. NEED, NECESSITY imply a want, a lack, or a demand, which must be filled. NEED, a word of Old English origin, has connotations that make it strong in emotional appeal: the need to be appreciated. NECESSITY, a word of Latin origin, is more formal and impersonal or objective; though much stronger than NEED in expressing urgency or imperative demand, it is less effective in appealing to the emotions: Water is a necessity for living things. 5. emergency. 7. neediness, indigence, penury, privation. See poverty. 9. want, lack.
Ant. 7. wealth.