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exact

 - 3 dictionary results

ex⋅act

  [ig-zakt]
Use exact in a Sentence
–adjective
1. strictly accurate or correct: an exact likeness; an exact description.
2. precise, as opposed to approximate: the exact sum; the exact date.
3. admitting of no deviation, as laws or discipline; strict or rigorous.
4. capable of the greatest precision: exact instruments.
5. characterized by or using strict accuracy: an exact thinker.
6. Mathematics. (of a differential equation) noting that the collection of all terms, equated to zero, is an exact differential.
–verb (used with object)
7. to call for, demand, or require: to exact respect from one's children.
8. to force or compel the payment, yielding, or performance of: to exact money; to exact tribute from a conquered people.
Origin:
1400–50; late ME exacten (v.) < L exāctus (ptp. of exigere drive out, thrust out), equiv. to ex- ex- 1 + ag(ere) to drive + -tus ptp. suffix

Related forms:
ex⋅act⋅a⋅ble, adjective
ex⋅act⋅er, ex⋅ac⋅tor, noun
ex⋅act⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
3. rigid, severe, unbending. 5. methodical, careful, punctilious, demanding, scrupulous. 8. wring. See extract.

Antonyms:
1, 2. imprecise.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To exact
ex·act   (ĭg-zākt')   
adj.  

  1. Strictly and completely in accord with fact; not deviating from truth or reality: an exact account; an exact replica; your exact words.

  2. Characterized by accurate measurements or inferences with small margins of error; not approximate: an exact figure; an exact science.

  3. Characterized by strict adherence to standards or rules: an exact speaker.

tr.v.   ex·act·ed, ex·act·ing, ex·acts

  1. To force the payment or yielding of; extort: exact tribute from a conquered people.

  2. To demand and obtain by or as if by force or authority: a harsh leader who exacts obedience. See Synonyms at demand.


[Latin exāctus, past participle of exigere, to weigh out, demand : ex-, ex- + agere, to weigh; see ag- in Indo-European roots.]
ex·act'a·ble adj., ex·act'ness n., ex·ac'tor, ex·act'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

exact  (adj.)
"precise, rigorous, accurate," 1533, from L. exactus, pp. of exigere, lit. "to drive or force out," also "demand, finish, measure," from ex- "out" + agere "drive, lead, act" (see act). The verb (1380, implied in exaction) is older in Eng. and represents the literal sense of the Latin. Exacting "too demanding" is from 1583. Elliptical use of exactly for "quite right" not recorded before 1869. Exacta as a type of horse-racing bet is first attested 1964, said to have originated in N.Y.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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