De*mand" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Demanded; p. pr. & vb. n.
Demanding.] [F. demander, LL. demandare to
demand, summon, send word, fr. L. demandare to give in charge,
intrust; de- + mandare to commit to one's charge,
commission, order, command. Cf. Mandate, Commend.]
1. To ask or call for with authority; to claim
or seek from, as by authority or right; to claim, as something due;
to call for urgently or peremptorily; as, to demand a debt; to
demand obedience.
This, in our foresaid holy father's name,
Pope Innocent, I do demand of thee.
Shak.
2. To inquire authoritatively or earnestly;
to ask, esp. in a peremptory manner; to question.
I did demand what news from
Shrewsbury.
Shak.
3. To require as necessary or useful; to be
in urgent need of; hence, to call for; as, the case demands
care.
4. (Law) To call into court; to
summon. Burrill.
De*mand", v. i. To make a demand;
to inquire.
The soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying,
And what shall we do?
Luke iii. 14.
De*mand", n. [F. demande, fr.
demander. See Demand, v. t.]
1. The act of demanding; an asking with
authority; a peremptory urging of a claim; a claiming or challenging
as due; requisition; as, the demand of a creditor; a note
payable on demand.
The demand [is] by the word of the holy
ones.
Dan. iv. 17.
He that has confidence to turn his wishes into
demands will be but a little way from thinking he ought to
obtain them.
Locke.
2. Earnest inquiry; question; query.
Shak.
3. A diligent seeking or search; manifested
want; desire to possess; request; as, a demand for certain
goods; a person's company is in great demand.
In 1678 came forth a second edition [Pilgrim's
Progress] with additions; and then the demand became
immense.
Macaulay.
4. That which one demands or has a right to
demand; thing claimed as due; claim; as, demands on an
estate.
5. (Law) (a) The
asking or seeking for what is due or claimed as due.
(b) The right or title in virtue of which
anything may be claimed; as, to hold a demand against a
person. (c) A thing or amount claimed to
be due.
In demand, in request; being much sought
after. -- On demand, upon presentation and
request of payment.
