Also 7 exegence. [a. F. exigence, ad. L. exigentia, f. exigent-em, pr. pple. of exigĕre: see EXIGENT.]
1. The state or fact of being exigent; urgent want; need, necessity.
1589. Puttenham, Eng. Poesie, I. xx. (Arb.), 58. A priuat person, whose manner of life and calling hath no such exigence.
1633. P. Fletcher, Purple Isl., VIII. xvi. 110. Their violence … Was none, or weak in time of greatest exigence.
1691. T. H[ale], Acc. New Invent., 130. So many … as will suffice in time of Exigence.
1849. C. Brontë, Shirley, xxi. A churchwarden who feels the exigence of whitewash.
† b. What is needed or required; demands, exigency, need, requirement; = EXIGENCY 2. Obs.
1594. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., I. xiv. (1611), 43. According to the exigence of that speciall end whereunto they are intended.
1642. Jer. Taylor, Episc. (1647), 92. The nature of his offices … and the whole exigence of the Epistle proclaime him Bishop.
1676. Hale, Contempl., I. 443. For the convenient support of the Exigences of my nature and condition.
1710. Tatler, No. 252, ¶ 2. If we drink the least Proportion beyond the Exigence of Thirst.
1784. Cowper, Task, II. 557. Ghostly counsel, if it … fall Below the exigence.
1817. Jas. Mill, Brit. India, II. IV. ix. 287. Supervisors, with powers adapted to the exigence of the case.
2. A pressing state of circumstances, or one demanding immediate action or remedy; a sudden or pressing necessity; an emergency; a difficulty, extremity, strait.
1643. True Informer, 15. His Majesty … summoned all his Nobles to appeare, to advise with them in this exigence.
1671. Crowne, Juliana, IV. A warlike Fantome By heaven created for this exigence.
1702. C. Mather, Magn. Chr., II. iv. (1852), 124. Mr. Winthrop … being … in this exigence chosen the governour.
1726. De Foe, Hist. Devil, I. xi. (1840), 160. God himself relieved the Israelites in every exigence.
1824. Scott, Redgauntlet, xxiii. Escape … as unexpected as the exigence was threatening.
1863. Cowden Clarke, Shaks. Char., xvii. 434. Falstaff is equal to any exigence.
¶ 3. As a personal quality: Exactingness. rare. [After Fr. use; cf. EXIGEANT.]
[1839. Lady Lytton, Cheveley (ed. 2), I. ii. 35. Mortgaging my time and patience by her exigence every hour in the day.]
1859. Helps, Friends in C., Ser. II. II. 102. The habit of exigence. That last is not a common English word.
