An ultimatum (Latin: the last one) is a demand whose fulfillment is requested in a specified period of time and which is backed up by a threat to be followed through in case of noncompliance. An ultimatum is generally the final demand in a series of requests. As such, the time allotted is usually short, and the request is understood not to be open to further negotiation. Latin was the language originally spoken in the region around Rome called Latium. ... The supply and demand model describes how prices vary as a result of a balance between product availability at each price (supply) and the desires of those with purchasing power at each price (demand). ... A threat is a declaration of intention to inflict punishment or harm on another. ...

The threat which backs up the ultimatum can vary depending on the demand in question and on the other circumstances. The following are commonly encountered:

• in diplomacy, the threat to declare war, to take other military action or to impose sanctions such as trade restrictions or embargoes.
• in a kidnapping, the threat by the kidnappers to kill the hostages, or by the authorities to seize them back by force.

In everyday life, ultimatums are also sometimes made in various contexts, such as in: To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Look up war in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Sanctions is the plural of sanction (see also penalty). ... For delayed access after publication, see Embargo (academic publishing). ... A hostage is a person (sometimes another entity) which is held by a captor (often a criminal abductor) in order to compel another party (relative, employer, government. ...

• a legal proceeding (e.g. the demand to strike a plea bargain or face a trial)
• a business relationship (e.g. the demand to accept a certain price or to forgo the deal)
• a personal relationship (e.g. the demand to desist in an extramarital affair or to face a divorce).

Such ultimatums may or may not be legal and/or socially acceptable. Ultimatums are also a regular part of the crime of extortion. A plea bargain is an agreement in a criminal case in which a prosecutor and a defendant arrange to settle the case against the defendant. ... An affair is a euphemism for a situation where two people are involved in an illicit sexual, romantic and/or passionate attachment, usually for a limited duration. ... Divorce or dissolution of marriage is the ending of a marriage before the death of either spouse. ... Extortion is a criminal offense, which occurs when a person obtains money, behaviour, or other goods and/or services from another by wrongfully threatening or inflicting harm to this person, reputation, or property. ...