compel

views updated May 09 2018

com·pel / kəmˈpel/ • v. (-pelled, -pel·ling) [tr.] force or oblige (someone) to do something: a sense of duty compelled Harry to answer her questions. ∎  bring about (something) by the use of force or pressure: they may compel a witness's attendance at court. ∎  poetic/lit. drive forcibly.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

compel

views updated Jun 27 2018

compel constrain XIV; drive or force together XV. — L. compellere (lit. and fig.), f. COM- + pellere drive.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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