v.
Pronunciation: k ə m- ' pel
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: com · pelled ; com · pel · ling
Etymology: Middle English compellen, from Anglo-French compeller, from Latin compellere, from com- + pellere to drive ― more at FELT
Date: 14th century
1 : to drive or urge forcefully or irresistibly <hunger compelled him to eat>
2 : to cause to do or occur by overwhelming pressure <public opinion compelled her to sign the bill>
3 archaic : to drive together
synonyms see FORCE
– com · pel · la · ble \ - ' pe-l ə -b ə l \ adjective