Dictionary entry

Require

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Re‐quire″ (r?–kw?r″), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Required (–kw?rd″); p. pr. & vb. n.Requiring.] [OE. requeren, requiren, OF. requerre, F. requ�rir; L. pref. re- re- + quaerere to ask; cf. L. requirere. See Query, and cf. Request, Requisite.] 1. To demand; to insist upon having; to claim as by right and authority; to exact; as, to require the surrender of property.

Shall I say to Cæsar

What you require of him? Shak.

By nature did what was by law required. Dryden.

2. To demand or exact as indispensable; to need.

Just gave what life required, and gave no more. Goldsmith.

The two last require to be particularly noticed. J. A. Symonds.

3. To ask as a favor; to request.

I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way. Ezra viii. 22.

Syn. — To claim; exact; enjoin; prescribe; direct; order; demand; need.