ˈnesɪsərɪ adj. & n. --adj. 1 requiring to be
done, achieved,
etc.;
requisite,
essential (it is necessary to
work; lacks
the necessary documents). 2
determined, existing, or
happening by
natural laws,
predestination, etc.,
not by
free will;
inevitable (a necessary evil). 3 Philos. (of a
concept or a
mental process) inevitably resulting
from or produced by the
nature of things etc., so
that the
contrary is
impossible. 4 Philos. (of an agent) having no
independent volition. --n. (pl. -ies) (usu. in pl.)
any of the
basic requirements of
life,
such as
food, warmth, etc. øthe necessary colloq. 1
money. 2 an
action,
item, etc., needed
for a
purpose (they will do the necessary). [ME f. OF necessaire f. L necessarius f. necesse needful]