necessity

necessity

noun | ne·ces·si·ty

  1. a : the presence or pressure of circumstances that justify or compel a certain course of action; especially : a need to respond or react to a dangerous situation by committing a criminal act : 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

  1. : something that is necessary especially to subsistence obligated to provide the necessities of food, clothing, and shelter