a. [ L. necessarius, from necesse unavoidable, necessary; of uncertain origin: cf. F. nécessaire. ] 1. Such as must be; impossible to be otherwise; not to be avoided; inevitable. [ 1913 Webster ]
Death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. Impossible to be otherwise, or to be dispensed with, without preventing the attainment of a desired result; indispensable; requisite; essential. “'T is necessary he should die.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
A certain kind of temper is necessary to the pleasure and quiet of our minds. Tillotson. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. Acting from necessity or compulsion; involuntary; -- opposed to free; as, whether man is a necessary or a free agent is a question much discussed. [ 1913 Webster ]