Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Demand \De*mand"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Demanded}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Demanding}.] [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) To call into court; to summon. --Burrill.

Demand \De*mand"\, v. i.
   To make a demand; to inquire.

         The soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what
         shall we do?                             --Luke iii.
                                                  14.

Demand \De*mand"\, n. [F. demande, fr. demander. See {Demand},
   v. t.]
   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
      possess; 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 then 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.

   {In demand}, in request; being much sought after.

   {On demand}, upon presentation and request of payment.

Source : WordNet®

demand
     n 1: the ability and desire to purchase goods and services; "the
          automobile reduced the demand for buggywhips"; "the
          demand exceeded the supply" [ant: {supply}]
     2: an urgent or peremptory request; "his demands for attention
        were unceasing"
     3: a condition requiring relief; "she satisfied his need for
        affection"; "God has no need of men to accomplish His
        work"; "there is a demand for jobs" [syn: {need}]
     4: the act of demanding; "the kidnapper's exorbitant demands
        for money"
     5: required activity; "the requirements of his work affected
        his health"; "there were many demands on his time" [syn: {requirement}]

demand
     v 1: request urgently and forcefully; "The victim's family is
          demanding compensation"; "The boss demanded that he be
          fired immediately"; "She demanded to see the manager"
     2: require as useful, just, or proper; "It takes nerve to do
        what she did"; "success usually requires hard work"; "This
        job asks a lot of patience and skill"; "This position
        demands a lot of personal sacrifice"; "This dinner calls
        for a spectacular dessert"; "This intervention does not
        postulates a patient's consent" [syn: {necessitate}, {ask},
         {postulate}, {need}, {require}, {take}, {involve}, {call
        for}] [ant: {obviate}]
     3: claim as due or just; "The bank demanded payment of the
        loan" [syn: {exact}]
     4: lay legal claim to
     5: summon to court
     6: ask to be informed of; "I demand an explanation"