Compel Definition
kəm-pĕl
compelled, compelling, compels
verb
compelled, compelling, compels
To force or constrain, as to do something.
Webster's New World
To necessitate or require, as by force of circumstance; demand.
Growing riots compelled the evacuation of the embassy.
American Heritage
To get or bring about by force.
Webster's New World
To exert a strong, irresistible force on; sway.
American Heritage
To gather or drive together by force, as a flock.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
Origin of Compel
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From Middle English compellen, from Middle French compellir, from Latin compellere, itself from com- (“together”) + pellere (“to drive”). Displaced native Middle English fordriven ("to drive out, to lead to, to compel, to force"). More at fordrive.
From Wiktionary
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Middle English compellen from Latin compellere com- com- pellere to drive pel-5 in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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