EXACTING

exigent, exacting

(adjective) requiring precise accuracy; “an exacting job”; “became more exigent over his pronunciation”

stern, strict, exacting

(adjective) severe and unremitting in making demands; “an exacting instructor”; “a stern disciplinarian”; “strict standards”

fastidious, exacting

(adjective) having complicated nutritional requirements; especially growing only in special artificial cultures; “fastidious microorganisms”; “certain highly specialized xerophytes are extremely exacting in their requirements”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Adjective

exacting (comparative more exacting, superlative most exacting)

Making excessive demands; difficult to satisfy.

(of an action, task, etc) Requiring precise accuracy, great care, effort, or attention.

(of a person or organization) Characterized by exaction.

Synonyms

• (difficult to satisfy): demanding

• (requiring precise accuracy, effort, care, or attention): demanding, niggly, pernickety

• (characterized by exaction): acquisitive, extortionate, grasping, money-grubbing, rapacious

Verb

exacting

present participle of exact

Source: Wiktionary

Ex*act"ing, a.

Definition: Oppressive or unreasonably severe in making demands or requiring the exact fulfillment of obligations; harsh; severe. "A temper so exacting." T. Arnold -- Ex*act"ing*ly, adv.

– Ex*act"ing*ness, n.

EXACT

Ex*act", a. Etym: [L. exactus precise, accurate, p. p. of exigere to drive out, to demand, enforce, finish, determine, measure; ex out + agere to drive; cf. F. exact. See Agent, Act.]

1. Precisely agreeing with a standard, a fact, or the truth; perfectly conforming; neither exceeding nor falling short in any respect; true; correct; precise; as, the clock keeps exact time; he paid the exact debt; an exact copy of a letter; exact accounts. I took a great pains to make out the exact truth. Jowett (Thucyd. )

2. Habitually careful to agree with a standard, a rule, or a promise; accurate; methodical; punctual; as, a man exact in observing an appointment; in my doings I was exact. "I see thou art exact of taste." Milton.

3. Precisely or definitely conceived or stated; strict. An exact command, Larded with many several sorts of reason. Shak.

Ex*act", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Exacted; p. pr. & vb. n. Exacting.] Etym: [From L. exactus, p. p. of exigere; or fr. LL. exactare: cf. OF. exacter. See Exact, a.]

Definition: To demand or require authoritatively or peremptorily, as a right; to enforce the payment of, or a yielding of; to compel to yield or to furnish; hence, to wrest, as a fee or reward when none is due; -- followed by from or of before the one subjected to exaction; as, to exact tribute, fees, obedience, etc., from or of some one. He said into them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. Luke. iii. 13. Years of servise past From grateful souls exact reward at last Dryden. My designs Exact me in another place. Massinger.

Ex*act", v. i.

Definition: To practice exaction. [R.] The anemy shall not exact upon him. Ps. lxxxix. 22.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition