Complete Definition of "compel"

English

Pronunciation
IPA|/k�m�p�l/, SAMPA|/k@m"pEl/

Verb
en-verb|compels|compelling|compelled

  1. To force, constrain or coerce.

#*1600, w:William_Shakespeare|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.
#*1849, w:Charlotte_Bronte|Charlotte Bronte, Shirley, ch. 27,
#*:Why are not the laws more stringent, that I might compel her to hear reason?

  1. To exact or produce by force.

#*1912, w:L._Frank_Baum|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.

  1. To overpower; to subdue.

#*1917, w:Upton_Sinclair|Upton Sinclair, King Coal, ch. 16,
#*:She had one of those perfect faces, which irresistibly compel the soul of a man.

Related terms
compelling

Translations
trans-top|To force, constrain or coerce
Finnish: pakottaa, ajaa
trans-mid
trans-bottom

trans-top|To exact by force
Finnish: periä väkisin
trans-mid
trans-bottom

trans-top|To overpower
trans-mid
trans-bottom

Translations to be checked
checktrans

ttbc|German: zwingen :de:zwingen|(de)
ttbc|Dutch: dwingen :nl:dwingen|(nl)
mid
ttbc|Old English: bædan|bǣdan

References
R:Webster 1913|compel
R:Dictionary.com|compel
Random House Webster's Unabridged Electronic Dictionary, 1987-1996.

Category:English transitive verbs
Category:English control verbs

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Revision and Credits for"compel"
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