the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
adj. Full of need; in need or want; needy; distressing.
adj. Necessary for supply or relief; requisite.
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
Having or exhibiting need or distress; needy; necessitous.
Necessary; requisite.
Synonyms Requisite, etc. (see necessary), indispensable.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
adj. necessary for relief or supply
Word Usage
"It meant they were just sick of this constant idea that the one thing needful is to put more people in the West -- and more people, and yet more people."