Words / C2

EKS-ij-uh-nsee/ˈeksɪdʒənsi/

An exigency is an urgent need or demand arising from a situation (formal): the exigencies of war, under the exigency of a deadline. Urgent (already in the dictionary) is everyday needing action now; an emergency (already in the dictionary) is a serious unexpected situation. Onerous (already in the dictionary) is burdensome to bear, of a duty; celerity (already in the dictionary) is swiftness, of pace not of need. A ranking film is not an ethics date.

Meaning

An urgent need or demand arising from a situation (formal).

Examples

• “The exigency of a ranking film does not date the ethics form.”
• “Urgent is everyday (already in B1). An emergency needs action now (already in A2). Onerous is burdensome (already in C2). Celerity is swiftness (already in C2) — speed, not need. Heat for a method can still be exact. Heat instead of a dated clause is theatre. Write the date; leave the rush.”

Good to know

An urgent situational demand (formal). Everyday: urgent / emergency (already in this dictionary). Close: onerous (already in C2). Contrast: celerity (speed — already in C2). Rush ≠ an ethics date.

Near in meaning

urgency, demand, necessity, pressure

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