necessitous

[ nuh-ses-i-tuhs ]

adjective

1. destitute or impoverished; needy; indigent:

   to aid a necessitous young mother.

2. being essential or unavoidable:

   a necessitous discharge of responsibilities.

3. requiring immediate attention or action; urgent:

   the necessitous demands of the oil shortage.

necessitous

/ nɪˈsɛsɪtəs /

adjective

1. very needy; destitute; poverty-stricken

Derived Forms

• neˈcessitously, adverb

Other Words From

• ne·cessi·tous·ly adverb
• ne·cessi·tous·ness noun
• nonne·cessi·tous adjective
• nonne·cessi·tous·ly adverb
• nonne·cessi·tous·ness noun
• unne·cessi·tous adjective
• unne·cessi·tous·ly adverb
• unne·cessi·tous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of necessitous¹

First recorded in 1605–15; necessit(y) + -ous

Example Sentences

The reasons for its adoption were, and are, still obviously wise, although not necessitous.

From Project Gutenberg

Alleviate the toil of the necessitous, but do not prevent their useful employment of time and means.

From Project Gutenberg

This venerable woman was prompt and undelaying in the relief she afforded to the necessitous.

From Project Gutenberg

He chose a night when a steady, blowing rain had driven all but limousined and most necessitous traffic from the streets.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet the cost of so formidable a journey would be far beyond this necessitous one's means.

From Project Gutenberg