Need \Need\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Needed; p. pr. & vb. n. Needing.]

[See Need, n. Cf. AS. n?dan to force, Goth. nau?jan.]

To be in want of; to have cause or occasion for; to lack; to require, as supply or relief.

Other creatures all day long Rove idle, unemployed, and less need rest. --Milton.

Note: With another verb, need is used like an auxiliary, generally in a negative sentence expressing requirement or obligation, and in this use it undergoes no change of termination in the third person singular of the present tense. ``And the lender need not fear he shall be injured.'' --Anacharsis (Trans. ).

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Need \Need\, n. [OE. need, neod, nede, AS. ne['a]d, n[=y]d; akin to D. nood, G. not, noth, Icel. nau[eth]r, Sw. & Dan. n["o]d, Goth. naups.]

1. A state that requires supply or relief; pressing occasion for something; necessity; urgent want.

And the city had no need of the sun. --Rev. xxi. 23.

I have no need to beg. --Shak.

Be governed by your needs, not by your fancy. --Jer. Taylor.

2. Want of the means of subsistence; poverty; indigence; destitution. --Chaucer.

Famine is in thy cheeks; Need and oppression starveth in thine eyes. --Shak.

3. That which is needful; anything necessary to be done; (pl.) necessary things; business. [Obs.]

--Chaucer.

4. Situation of need; peril; danger. [Obs.]

--Chaucer.

Syn: Exigency; emergency; strait; extremity; necessity; distress; destitution; poverty; indigence; want; penury.

Usage: Need, Necessity. Necessity is stronger than need; it places us under positive compulsion. We are frequently under the necessity of going without that of which we stand very greatly in need. It is also with the corresponding adjectives; necessitous circumstances imply the direct pressure of suffering; needy circumstances, the want of aid or relief.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Need \Need\, v. i. To be wanted; to be necessary. --Chaucer.

When we have done it, we have done all that is in our power, and all that needs. --Locke.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Need \Need\, adv. Of necessity. See Needs. [Obs.]

--Chaucer.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)