adj.
- Strictly and completely in accord with fact; not deviating from truth or reality: an exact account; an exact replica; your exact words.
- Characterized by accurate measurements or inferences with small margins of error; not approximate: an exact figure; an exact science.
- Characterized by strict adherence to standards or rules: an exact speaker.
- To force the payment or yielding of; extort: exact tribute from a conquered people.
- To demand and obtain by or as if by force or authority: a harsh leader who exacts obedience. See synonyms at demand.
[Latin exāctus, past participle of exigere, to weigh out, demand : ex-, ex- + agere, to weigh.]
exactable ex·act'a·ble adj.exactness ex·act'ness n.
exactor ex·ac'tor or ex·act'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
