ne·ces·si·ty n pl -ties
1 a: the presence or pressure of circumstances that justify or compel a certain course of action; esp: a need to respond or react to a dangerous situation by committing a criminal act
b: an affirmative defense originating in common law that the defendant had to commit a criminal act because of the pressure of a situation that threatened a harm greater than that resulting from the act see also choice of evils defense at defense 2a compare duress, undue influence
2: something that is necessary esp. to subsistence
obligated to provide the necessities of food, clothing, and shelter
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.