compel

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Verb 1.3.1 Derived terms 1.3.2 Translations 1.4 References

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Middle English compellen, from Middle French compellir, from Latin compellere, itself from com- 'together' + pellere 'to drive'

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /kəmˈpɛl/, SAMPA: /k@m"pEl/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

[edit] Verb

to compel (third-person singular simple present compels, present participle compelling, simple past and past participle compelled)

1. (transitive, archaic) (literally) To drive together, round up

   Sheep dogs masterly compell the herd.

2. (transitive) To overpower; to subdue
   • 1917, Upton Sinclair, King Coal, ch. 16,

     She had one of those perfect faces, which irresistibly compel the soul of a man.

3. (transitive) To force, constrain or coerce

   Logic compells the wise, fools feel compelled by emotions instead

   • 1600, William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, act 5, sc. 1,

     Against my will, / As Pompey was, am I compell'd to set / Upon one battle all our liberties.

4. (transitive) To exact, extort, (make) produce by force
   • 1912, L. Frank Baum, Sky Island, ch. 14,

     The Queen has nothing but the power to execute the laws, to adjust grievances and to compel order.

[edit] Derived terms

[edit] Translations

[edit] References

• compel in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• “compel” in Dictionary.com Unabridged, v1.0.1, Lexico Publishing Group, 2006.
• Random House Webster's Unabridged Electronic Dictionary, 1987-1996.