compulsive

English

Etymology

From Latin compulsus, past participle of compellere (“to compel”), from com- (“together”) + pellere (“to drive”).

Adjective

compulsive (comparative more compulsive, superlative most compulsive)

1. uncontrolled or reactive and unconscious
   • 1990, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990:

     Under this Act, the term "disability" shall not include—...(2) compulsive gambling, kleptomania, or pyromania; or...

Related terms

• compel
• compulsion
• compulsory

Derived terms

• compulsiveness

Translations

uncontrolled or reactive and unconscious

Bulgarian: принудителен, задължителен Czech: nutkavý (cs) Dutch: dwangmatig, dwangmatige Finnish: pakonomainen, pakottava

Russian: неконтролируемый (ru), навязчивый (ru) Spanish: compulsivo (es) Swedish: tvångsmässig

Noun

compulsive (plural compulsives)

1. One who exhibits compulsive behaviours.

External links

• compulsive in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• compulsive in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
• compulsive at OneLook Dictionary Search

---

Italian

Adjective

compulsive f.

1. Feminine plural form of compulsivo