Requisite

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈɹɛkwɪzɪt/

Definitions

1. Something that is required or necessary to achieve an objective ; an essential item or condition without which success is not possible
2. A condition or quality that must be met for a desired result ; a vital element or prerequisite that is necessary
3. A needed requirement or indispensable factor that must be present ; a fundamental necessity without which a process cannot proceed

Etymology: "Requisite" comes from Latin "requisitus," the past participle of "requirere," meaning "to seek out, ask for, or require." Its own meaning as a noun or adjective is what is "sought after" or "needed," so a requisite is literally something that has been asked for before anything else can happen. The word is closely related to "require," which is built from the same Latin verb, and the two words share a common ancestor. The adjective sense, "necessary or indispensable," grew naturally from the idea of what is demanded in order for something to succeed.

Synonyms: necessary, essential, required

Antonyms: unnecessary, optional