COMPEL


Meaning of COMPEL in English

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

Merriam Webster Collegiate English Dictionary.      Merriam Webster - Энциклопедический словарь английского языка.