Etymology : Middle English demaunden, from Old French demander, from Medieval Latin demandare, from Latin, to entrust, charge, from de- + mandare to enjoin; more at MANDATE
Pronunciation :
Function : verb
Date : 14th century
1. insistently requesting, claiming in an authoritative manner; tiring, taxing, challenging. demanding requiring more than usually expected or thought due; especially great patience and effort and skill; "found the job very demanding"; "a baby can be so demanding" [ant: undemanding].
2. requiring more than usually expected or thought due; especially great patience and effort and skill; "found the job very demanding"; "a baby can be so demanding".
3. 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.
4. To inquire authoritatively or earnestly; to ask, esp. in a peremptory manner; to question.
5. To require as necessary or useful; to be in urgent need of; hence, to call for; as, the case demands care.
6. To call into court; to summon.
7. To make a demand; to inquire.
8. 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.
9. Earnest inquiry; question; query.
10. 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.
11. That which one demands or has a right to demand; thing claimed as due; claim; as, demands on an estate.
12. The asking or seeking for what is due or claimed as due.
13. The right or title in virtue of which anything may be claimed; as, to hold a demand against a person.
14. A thing or amount claimed to be due. the act of demanding; "the kidnapper's exorbitant demands for money" an urgent or peremptory request; "his demands for attention were unceasing" the ability and desire to purchase goods and services; "the automobile reduced the demand for buggywhips"; "the demand exceeded the supply" request urgently and forcefully; "The victim's family is demanding compensation"; "The boss demanded that he be fired immediately"; "She demanded to see:
the manager" claim as due or just; "The bank demanded payment of the loan" ask to be informed of; "I demand an explanation" summon to court lay legal claim to.
15. 1. A demanding job or task requires a lot of your time, energy, or attention. He found he could no longer cope with his demanding job.
16. People who are demanding are not easily satisfied or pleased. Ricky was a very demanding child.