Word Direct Answers

What does "compel" mean?

Compel: 2. To take by force or violence; to seize; to exact; to extort. [R.] Commissions, which compel from each The sixth part of his substance. Shak.

Additional senses

  1. 2.To force to yield; to overpower; to subjugate. Easy sleep their weary limbs compelled. Dryden. I compel all creatures to my will. Tennyson.
  2. 3.To gather or unite in a crowd or company. [A Latinism] "In one troop compelled." Dryden.
  3. 4.To call forth; to summon. [Obs.] Chapman. She had this knight from far compelled. Spenser. See Coerce.
  4. 5.To make one yield or submit. "If she can not entreat, I can not compel." Shak.

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