exact

[ig-zakt] /ɪgˈzækt/

adjective

strictly accurate or correct:

an exact likeness; an exact description.

precise, as opposed to approximate:

the exact sum; the exact date.

admitting of no deviation, as laws or discipline; strict or rigorous.

capable of the greatest precision:

exact instruments.

characterized by or using strict accuracy:

an exact thinker.

Mathematics. (of a differential equation) noting that the collection of all terms, equated to zero, is an exact differential.

verb (used with object)

to call for, demand, or require:

to exact respect from one's children.

to force or compel the payment, yielding, or performance of:

to exact money; to exact tribute from a conquered people.

Origin

1400-50; late Middle English exacten (v.) < Latin exāctus (past participle of exigere drive out, thrust out), equivalent to ex- ex-¹ + ag(ere) to drive + -tus past participle suffix

Related forms

exactable, adjective

exacter, exactor, noun

exactness, noun

nonexactable, adjective

preexact, adjective, verb (used with object)

quasi-exact, adjective

quasi-exactly, adverb

unexacted, adjective

Synonyms

3. rigid, severe, unbending. 5. methodical, careful, punctilious, demanding, scrupulous. 8. wring. See extract.

Antonyms

1, 2. imprecise.

Examples from the web for exact

Obviously not all church-connected colleges insist on exact subscription to their own particular beliefs.
The exact causality can only be speculated at this point but the correlations are robust.
To get an exact measure of these distances, have students use the blue nylon straps included in the trunk.
What makes a wine develop the exact flavors it does over time remains largely a mystery.
Researchers looking for a disease-causing gene don't usually find the exact location of the gene right away.
Fossil fuels exact the biggest toll in terms of lives lost.
Naturally, knowing the exact genus or species of dinosaur that created the tracks is impossible.
If you are making a word or phrase stencil, use your computer to print out the word at the exact size you desire.
The device adds a geeky element to the mundane task of stoking liquids by letting you dial in the exact temperature you want.
The exact location of every building on the planet can be known.

British Dictionary definitions for exact

exact

/ɪɡˈzækt/

adjective

correct in every detail; strictly accurate: an exact copy

precise, as opposed to approximate; neither more nor less: the exact sum

(prenominal) specific; particular: this exact spot

operating with very great precision: exact instruments

allowing no deviation from a standard; rigorous; strict: an exact mind

based mainly on measurement and the formulation of laws, as opposed to description and classification: physics is an exact science

verb (transitive)

to force or compel (payment or performance); extort: to exact tribute

to demand as a right; insist upon: to exact respect from one's employees

to call for or require: this work exacts careful effort

Derived Forms

exactable, adjective
exactness, noun
exactor, exacter, noun

Word Origin

C16: from Latin exactus driven out, from exigere to drive forth, from agere to drive

Word Origin and History for exact

adj.

"precise, rigorous, accurate," 1530s, from Latin exactus "precise, accurate, exact," past participle of exigere "demand, require," literally "to drive or force out," also "demand, finish, measure," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + agere "drive, lead, act" (see act).

mid-15c., from Latin exactus, past participle of exigere (see exact (adj.)). Older in English than the adjective and retaining the literal sense of the Latin source. Related: Exacted; exacting.