exigent

Etymology

From Latin exigēns, present active participle of exigō (“demand, require”).

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /ˈɛk.sɪ.dʒənt/, /ˈɛɡ.zɪ.dʒənt/

Adjective

exigent (comparative more exigent, superlative most exigent)

1. Urgent; needing immediate action.
   • 2003, Working Group Report on Detainee Interrogations, U.S. Department of Defence

     Article 2 also provides that acts of torture cannot be justified on the grounds of exigent circumstances, such as state of war or public emergency, or on orders from a superior officer or public authority.

2. Demanding; needing great effort.

Noun

exigent (plural exigents)

1. (archaic) Extremity; end; limit; pressing urgency
   • 1591, Henry VI, Part 1, by William Shakespeare

     These eyes, like lamps whose wasting oil is spent, \ Wax dim, as drawing to their exigent;

   • 1611, King James' Bible, Preface

     Therefore as one complaineth, that always in the Senate of Rome, [Cicero 5° de finibus.] there was one or other that called for an interpreter: so lest the Church be driven to the like exigent, it is necessary to have translations in a readiness.

2. (obsolete, Britain, law) The name of a writ in proceedings before outlawry.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Abbott to this entry?)

Etymology

From Latin exigēns, present active participle of exigō (“demand, require”).

Adjective

exigent (masculine and feminine plural exigents)

1. exigent

Verb

exigent

1. third-person plural present indicative of exiger
2. third-person plural present subjunctive of exiger

Verb

exigent

1. third-person plural future active indicative of exigō