— compulsively , adv. — compulsiveness, compulsivity /keuhm pul siv"i tee, kom'pul-/ , n.
/keuhm pul"siv/ , adj.
1. compelling; compulsory.
2. Psychol.
a. pertaining to, characterized by, or involving compulsion: a compulsive desire to cry.
b. governed by an obsessive need to conform, be scrupulous, etc., coupled with an inability to express positive emotions.
n.
3. Psychol. a person whose behavior is governed by a compulsion.
[ 1595-1605; obs. compulse v. ( compuls ( us ), ptp. of compellere; see COMPULSION) + -IVE ]