The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Demand \De*mand"\, v. i.
   To make a demand; to inquire.
   [1913 Webster]

         The soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what
         shall we do?                             --Luke iii.
                                                  14.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Demand \De*mand"\, n. [F. demande, fr. demander. See Demand,
   v. t.]
   1. The act of demanding; an asking with authority; a
      peremptory urging of a claim; a claiming or challenging as
      due; requisition; as, the demand of a creditor; a note
      payable on demand.
      [1913 Webster]

            The demand [is] by the word of the holy ones. --Dan.
                                                  iv. 17.
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            He that has confidence to turn his wishes into
            demands will be but a little way from thinking he
            ought to obtain them.                 --Locke.
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   2. Earnest inquiry; question; query. --Shak.
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   3. A diligent seeking or search; manifested want; desire to
      possess; request; as, a demand for certain goods; a
      person's company is in great demand.
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            In 1678 came forth a second edition [Pilgrim's
            Progress] with additions; and then the demand became
            immense.                              --Macaulay.
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   4. That which one demands or has a right to demand; thing
      claimed as due; claim; as, demands on an estate.
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   5. (Law)
      (a) The asking or seeking for what is due or claimed as
          due.
      (b) The right or title in virtue of which anything may be
          claimed; as, to hold a demand against a person.
      (c) A thing or amount claimed to be due.
          [1913 Webster]

   In demand, in request; being much sought after.

   On demand, upon presentation and request of payment.
      [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Demand \De*mand"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Demanded; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Demanding.] [F. demander, LL. demandare to demand,
   summon, send word, fr. L. demandare to give in charge,
   intrust; de- + mandare to commit to one's charge, commission,
   order, command. Cf. Mandate, Commend.]
   1. To ask or call for with authority; to claim or seek from,
      as by authority or right; to claim, as something due; to
      call for urgently or peremptorily; as, to demand a debt;
      to demand obedience.
      [1913 Webster]

            This, in our foresaid holy father's name,
            Pope Innocent, I do demand of thee.   --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To inquire authoritatively or earnestly; to ask, esp. in a
      peremptory manner; to question.
      [1913 Webster]

            I did demand what news from Shrewsbury. --Shak.
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   3. To require as necessary or useful; to be in urgent need
      of; hence, to call for; as, the case demands care.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. (Law) To call into court; to summon. --Burrill.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

demand
    n 1: an urgent or peremptory request; "his demands for attention
         were unceasing"
    2: the ability and desire to purchase goods and services; "the
       automobile reduced the demand for buggywhips"; "the demand
       exceeded the supply" [ant: supply]
    3: required activity; "the requirements of his work affected his
       health"; "there were many demands on his time" [syn:
       requirement, demand]
    4: the act of demanding; "the kidnapper's exorbitant demands for
       money"
    5: a condition requiring relief; "she satisfied his need for
       affection"; "God has no need of men to accomplish His work";
       "there is a demand for jobs" [syn: need, demand]
    v 1: request urgently and forcefully; "The victim's family is
         demanding compensation"; "The boss demanded that he be
         fired immediately"; "She demanded to see the manager"
    2: require as useful, just, or proper; "It takes nerve to do
       what she did"; "success usually requires hard work"; "This
       job asks a lot of patience and skill"; "This position demands
       a lot of personal sacrifice"; "This dinner calls for a
       spectacular dessert"; "This intervention does not postulate a
       patient's consent" [syn: necessitate, ask, postulate,
       need, require, take, involve, call for, demand]
       [ant: eliminate, obviate, rid of]
    3: claim as due or just; "The bank demanded payment of the loan"
       [syn: demand, exact]
    4: lay legal claim to
    5: summon to court
    6: ask to be informed of; "I demand an explanation"