▪ I. exacting, vbl. n.
(ɛgˈzæktɪŋ)
[f. exact v. + -ing1.]
The action of the vb. exact.
| 1603 Shakes. Meas. for M. iii. ii. 295 Disguise shall by th'disguised Pay with falshood, false exacting. a 1716 South Serm. I. v. (R.), By a vigilant exacting from them [teachers]..the instruction of their respective flocks. |
▪ II. exacting, ppl. a.
(ɛgˈzæktɪŋ)
[f. prec. + -ing2.]
That exacts, in senses of the vb.
† 1. That collects taxes. Obs.
| a 1618 Raleigh Prerog. Parl. 9 Hee called all his exacting officers to accompt. |
2. That demands excessive payment, extortionate.
| 1583 Stubbes Anat. Abus. ii. 85 If he for the execution therof should aske me more.. than we agreed for, were not this man a naughtie, exacting, and fraudulent felowe? |
3. Of persons, their feelings, temper, etc.: That requires or is disposed to require too great advantages, exertions, or sacrifices.
| 1634 Habington Castara (Arb.) 107 Set at liberty by death thou owest no debt T' exacting Nature. 1848 Dickens Dombey xl, Mrs. Skewton..was in the irresolute, exacting, jealous temper that had developed itself on her recovery. 1873 Black Pr. Thule ix. 132 You are naturally jealous and exacting. 1882 M. E. Braddon Mt. Royal I. i. 4 All the exacting ideas of early youth in relation to love and lovers. |
| absol. 1847 Bushnell Chr. Nurt. ii. v. (1861) 328 There is a great difference between..the exact and the exacting. 1868 Peard Water-Farm. xi. 115 The returns shall..satisfy the most exacting. |
Hence eˈxactingly adv., in an exacting manner. eˈxactingness, the quality of being exacting.
| 1849 Lit. World (N.Y.) No. 127. 4 It [truth] applies to particulars as exactingly as to generals. 1866 Contemp. Rev. II. 188 A sensitiveness about his own position..which might have turned to jealous exactingness. 1889 Morley Walpole 107 The boundless activity and exactingness of a reformed House of Commons. |