[ad. L. exigentia: see prec. and -ENCY.] The quality of being exigent.
1. a. Exigent character, pressing state (of circumstances, etc.), stringency (of requirements). b. Urgent want; pressing necessity; an instance of this; in pl. pressing needs, straits.
a. 1769. Robertson, Chas. V., III. X. 224. Such immediate … assistance as the exigency of her affairs required.
1794. Paley, Evid., I. iv. (1817), 66. To inspire them with fortitude proportioned to the increasing exigency of the service.
1836. J. Gilbert, Chr. Atonem., ix. (1852), 289. Nor whatever the exigency of our circumstances, can we rationally doubt of needful assistance.
1848. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 577. The exigency of the case warranted him in borrowing, without asking permission, a fine horse belonging to Dare.
b. 1630. Wadsworth, Pilgr., vii. 70. [He] was driuen to such an exigency that he was constrained [etc.].
1659. Gentl. Calling (1696), 88. The amazing Exigencies of a sinking Man … excuse the folly of catching at Reeds.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Past., ***b. The Romans in great exigency, sent for their Dictator from the Plow.
1707. Addison, Pres. St. War, Wks. 1746, III. 245. We already complain of our want of bullion and must at last be reduced to the greatest exigencies.
1761. Sterne, Tr. Shandy (1802), III. ii. 260. The natural exigency my father was under of rubbing his head.
1833. I. Taylor, Fanat., ii. 37. The extreme exigency of the moment.
1863. Froude, Hist. Eng., VIII. 61. Yet the Exigencies of England required peace.
2. That which is needed or required; demands, needs, requirements: a. sing.; now rare exc. in Law (see quot. 1883). b. pl.
a. 1581. Lambarde, Eiren., III. i. (1588), 329. The residue were fined … according to the exigencie and temper of their fault.
1662. Bk. Com. Prayer, Pref. The various exigency of times and occasions.
1818. Jas. Mill, Brit. India, III. VI. i. 37. In his demands upon the Rajah … Mr. Hastings had exceeded the exigency.
1850. W. Irving, Mahomet, xxxii. (1853), 164. The talents of Mahomet rose to the exigency of the moment.
1883. Sir F. Pollock, in Law Rep. 11 Q. Bench 433. When the sheriff has seized the debtor’s goods, it is his duty to go on selling until he shall have realized enough to satisfy the exigency of the writ.
b. 1674. Brevint, Saul at Endor, iv. 73. Devout Persons are directed to several Saints, for their several Exigencies.
1724. Swift, Drapier’s Lett., iii. I intreat you will never suffer Mr. Wood to be a judge of your exigencies.
1857–8. Sears, Athan., iv. 28. Those who think God will … work miracles … to meet the exigencies of theology.
