The word "exacting" is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription of /ɪɡˈzæktɪŋ/. The first syllable, "ex", is pronounced as /ɪɡz/, with a stress on the second syllable. The following syllable is pronounced similarly to the word "act", with a short vowel sound of /æk/. The final syllable, "-ing," is pronounced as /ɪŋ/, including the nasal sound of the letter "n." This word means requiring or demanding precision or accuracy, and its spelling reflects this sense of detail-oriented and exacting standards.
Exacting is an adjective that describes something or someone that demands precision, accuracy, or strict adherence to standards or requirements. It is often used to refer to tasks, work, or individuals that require great attention to detail and meticulousness.
When applied to a task or work, exacting suggests that it necessitates careful and precise execution. It implies that the job requires a high level of skill, competence, or expertise, and may involve intricate or delicate procedures. For example, an exacting architectural project would involve intricate design elements, precise measurements, and meticulous execution.
When used in reference to an individual, exacting describes someone who is very demanding, meticulous, or difficult to satisfy. Such a person typically expects others to meet their high standards and may be critical or unforgiving of any mistakes or shortcomings. For instance, an exacting professor is one who assigns complex assignments, expects flawless work, and may be highly critical of any errors.
Overall, the term exacting emphasizes the need for precision, accuracy, or perfection in a particular task, work, or individual. It conveys the idea that only those who possess great skill, attention to detail, or high standards can successfully meet the requirements or expectations involved.
Harsh; severe; unyielding.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "exacting" originated from the Latin word "exigere", which means "to demand" or "to require". The word "exigere" is a combination of "ex", meaning "out" or "thoroughly", and "agere", meaning "to drive" or "to do". Over time, the meaning of "exigere" evolved to connote the idea of demanding something with great precision or accuracy. Consequently, this led to the development of the English adjective "exacting", which describes something or someone that requires great precision, accuracy, or meticulousness.