exact

exact
\ \ [15] The adjective exactprecise’ and the verb exactdemand with severity’ have undergone considerable semantic divergence over the centuries, but they both go back to the same source, the Latin verb exigere (from which English also got essay, examine, exigent [15], and exiguous [17]). This, a compound of the prefix ex- ‘out’ and agerelead, drive’ (source of English act and agent), meant originally ‘drive out’, but in due course it developed the metaphorical senses ‘demand’ (preserved in the English verb), ‘weigh accurately’, and ‘bring to completion or perfection’. These last two were taken up adjectivally in the Latin past participle exactus, from which English gets exact.
\ \ Cf.ACT, AGENT, ESSAY, EXAMINE

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

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  • exact — exact …   Dictionnaire des rimes

  • exact — exact, exacte [ ɛgza(kt), ɛgzakt ] adj. • XVIe; lat. exactus « poussé jusqu au bout, accompli », de exigere « achever » I ♦ 1 ♦ Vx ou littér. Qui est fait avec soin, en observant les règles prescrites, les normes. ⇒ minutieux, rigoureux,… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • exact — EXÁCT, Ă, exacţi, te, adj., adv. I. adj. 1. Care este conform cu realitatea, care este în deplină concordanţă cu adevărul. ♢ Ştiinţe exacte = ştiinţe în care formulările se pot prezenta în formă matematică. ♦ Care reproduce întocmai un model,… …   Dicționar Român

  • Exact — Ex*act , a. [L. exactus precise, accurate, p. p. of exigere to drive out, to demand, enforce, finish, determine, measure; ex out + agere to drive; cf. F. exact. See {Agent}, {Act}.] 1. Precisely agreeing with a standard, a fact, or the truth;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • exact — ex‧act [ɪgˈzækt] verb [transitive] formal to demand and get something from someone, especially using forceful methods: • My client is only claiming the return of taxes exacted under an unlawful demand. exaction noun [uncountable] : • The company… …   Financial and business terms

  • exact — exact, acte (é gza, ou, suivant la prononciation la plus commune, è gzakt, c et t sonnant, gzak t . Il y a des divergences pour la prononciation du masculin : plusieurs disent è gza, ne faisant pas plus sonner ct que dans respect ; Richelet note… …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

  • exact — Exact, [ex]acte. adj. Regulier, ponctuel, soigneux, qui observe ponctuellement tout ce qu il faut jusqu aux moindres choses dans ce qu il fait, dans ce qu il dit. Il est fort exact. autheur exact. vous n estes pas assez exact. il faut estre exact …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • Exact — Ex*act , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Exacted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Exacting}.] [From L. exactus, p. p. of exigere; or fr. LL. exactare: cf. OF. exacter. See {Exact}, a.] To demand or require authoritatively or peremptorily, as a right; to enforce the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • exact — [eg zakt′, igzakt′] adj. [L exactus < pp. of exigere, to drive out, measure, determine < ex , out + agere, to do: see ACT1] 1. characterized by, requiring, or capable of accuracy of detail; very accurate; methodical; correct [an exact… …   English World dictionary

  • exact — I adjective accurate, admitting of no deviation, allowing no departure from the standard, careful, clear cut, close, correct, defined, detailed, diligens, exactus, explicit, express, faithful, literal, meticulous, minute, particular, plain,… …   Law dictionary

  • exact — [adj1] accurate, precise bull’s eye*, careful, clear, clear cut, correct, dead on*, definite, distinct, downright, explicit, express, faithful, faultless, identical, literal, methodical, nailed down*, nice, on target*, on the button*, on the… …   New thesaurus

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