necessity

n 1: the condition of being essential or indispensable

2: anything indispensable; "food and shelter are necessities of

life"; "the essentials of the good life"; "allow farmers

to buy their requirements under favorable conditions"; "a

place where the requisites of water fuel and fodder can be

obtained" [syn: {essential}, {requirement}, {requisite}, {necessary}]

[ant: {inessential}]