late 14c., "constraining power of circumstances," from Old French necessité "need, necessity; privation, poverty; distress, torment; obligation, duty" (12c.), from Latin necessitatem (nominative necessitas) "compulsion, need for attention, unavoidableness, destiny," from necesse (see necessary). Meaning "condition of being in need" in English is from late 15c.
Necessity is the Mother of Invention. [Richard Franck, c. 1624-1708, English author and angler, "Northern Memoirs," 1658]
To maken vertu of necessite is in Chaucer. Related: Necessities.
双语例句
1. Some people have to lead stressful lifestyles out of necessity.
一些人迫于生计不得不过着紧张忙碌的生活。
来自柯林斯例句
2. There is agreement on the necessity of reforms.
对改革的必要性已经达成了共识。
来自柯林斯例句
3. The assembly line of necessity kept moving.
生产线势必保持运转下去。
来自柯林斯例句
4. Most women, like men, work from economic necessity.
