Demand, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Demanded; p. pr. & vb. n. Demanding.]
Etymology: [F. demander, LL. demandare to demand, summon, send word, fr. L. demandare to give in charge, intrust; de- + mandare to commit to one's charge, commission, order, command. Cf. Mandate, Commend.]
1. 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. This, in our foresaid holy father's name, Pope Innocent, I do demand of thee. Shak.
2. To inquire authoritatively or earnestly; to ask, esp. in a peremptory manner; to question. I did demand what news from Shrewsbury. Shak.
3. To require as necessary or useful; to be in urgent need of; hence, to call for; as, the case demands care.
4. (Law)
1 more senses
To call into court; to summon. Burrill.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Demand, v. i.
To make a demand; to inquire. The soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do Luke iii. 14.
Demand, n.
1. 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. The demand [is] by the word of the holy ones. Dan. iv. 17. He that has confidence to turn his wishes into demands will be but a little way from thinking he ought to obtain them. Locke.
2. Earnest inquiry; question; query. Shak.
3. A diligent seeking or search; manifested want; desire to posses; request; as, a demand for certain goods; a person's company is in great demand. In 1678 came forth a second edition [Pilgrim's Progress] with additions; and the demand became immense. Macaulay.
4. That which one demands or has a right to demand; thing claimed as due; claim; as, demands on an estate.
5. (Law) (a) The asking or seeking for what is due or claimed as due. (b) The right or title in virtue of which anything may be claimed; as, to hold a demand against a person. (c) A thing or amount claimed to be due.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for demand; he lists it under ask.
Where he writes about it:
Demand is a determined and often an arrogant word; one may rightfully demand what is his own or his due, when it is withheld or denied; or he may wrongfully demand that to which he has no claim but power. — from ask
Require is less arrogant and obtrusive than demand, but is exceedingly strenuous; as, the court requires the attendance of witnesses. — from ask