/ kəmˈpel; NAmE / verb ( -ll- ) ( formal )
1.
to force sb to do sth; to make sth necessary :
[ vn to inf ]
The law can compel fathers to make regular payments for their children.
I feel compelled to write and tell you how much I enjoyed your book.
[ vn ]
Last year ill health compelled his retirement.
2.
[ vn ] (not used in the progressive tenses) to cause a particular reaction :
He spoke with an authority that compelled the attention of the whole crowd.
—see also compulsion
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Latin compellere , from com- together + pellere drive.