imperativeness - Definitions from Dictionary.com

3 results for: imperativeness

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

im·per·a·tive

Audio Help [im-per-uh-tiv] Pronunciation Key

–adjective

1.	absolutely necessary or required; unavoidable: It is imperative that we leave.

2.	of the nature of or expressing a command; commanding.

3.	Grammar. noting or pertaining to the mood of the verb used in commands, requests, etc., as in Listen! Go! Compare indicative (def. 2), subjunctive (def. 1).

–noun

4.	a command.

5.	something that demands attention or action; an unavoidable obligation or requirement; necessity: It is an imperative that we help defend friendly nations.

Grammar.

a.	the imperative mood.

b.	a verb in this mood.

7.	an obligatory statement, principle, or the like.

[Origin: 1520–30; < LL imperātivus, equiv. to L imperāt(us) ptp. of imperāre to impose, order, command (im- im-¹ + -per- (comb. form of parāre to fur-nish (with), produce, obtain, prepare) + -ātus -ate¹) + -īvus -ive

]

—Related forms

im·per·a·tive·ly, adverb

im·per·a·tive·ness, noun

—Synonyms 1. inescapable; indispensable, essential; exigent, compelling.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
imperativeness

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

im·per·a·tive Audio Help (ĭm-pěr'ə-tĭv) Pronunciation Key
adj.

Expressing a command or plea; peremptory: requests that grew more and more imperative.
Having the power or authority to command or control.
Grammar Of, relating to, or constituting the mood that expresses a command or request.
Impossible to deter or evade; pressing: imperative needs. See Synonyms at urgent.

1. A command; an order.
2. An obligation; a duty: social imperatives.
3. The imperative mood.
4. A verb form of the imperative mood.
A rule, principle, or instinct that compels a certain behavior: a people driven to aggression by territorial imperatives.
Grammar
1. The imperative mood.
2. A verb form of the imperative mood.

[Middle English imperatif, relating to the imperative mood, from Old French, from Late Latin imperātīvus, from Latin imperātus, past participle of imperāre, to command; see emperor.]

im·per'a·tive·ly adv., im·per'a·tive·ness n.

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

imperativeness
noun
1.	the state of demanding notice or attention; "the insistence of their hunger"; "the press of business matters"
2.	the quality of being insistent; "he pressed his demand with considerable instancy"