Compelling

Compelling
Compel Com*pel", v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Compelled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Compelling}.] [L. compellere, compulsum, to drive together, to compel, urge; com- + pellere to drive: cf. OF. compellir. See {Pulse}.] 1. To drive or urge with force, or irresistibly; to force; to constrain; to oblige; to necessitate, either by physical or moral force. [1913 Webster]

Wolsey . . . compelled the people to pay up the whole subsidy at once. --Hallam. [1913 Webster]

And they compel one Simon . . . to bear his cross. --Mark xv. 21. [1913 Webster]

2. To take by force or violence; to seize; to exact; to extort. [R.] [1913 Webster]

Commissions, which compel from each The sixth part of his substance. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

3. To force to yield; to overpower; to subjugate. [1913 Webster]

Easy sleep their weary limbs compelled. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

I compel all creatures to my will. --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]

4. To gather or unite in a crowd or company. [A Latinism] ``In one troop compelled.'' --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

5. To call forth; to summon. [Obs.] --Chapman. [1913 Webster]

She had this knight from far compelled. --Spenser.

Syn: To force; constrain; oblige; necessitate; coerce. See {Coerce}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • compelling — adj: that compels: tending to demand action or to convince a compelling need for disclosure a compelling argument Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam Webster. 1996. compelling …   Law dictionary

  • compelling — compelling, compulsive Both words involve a sense of strong urging and are derived from Latin compellere meaning ‘to drive on’. An activity or habit that is compulsive affects an individual in a way they cannot control (a near synonym is… …   Modern English usage

  • compelling — [kəm pel′iŋ] adj. 1. that compels 2. irresistibly or keenly interesting, attractive, etc.; captivating [a compelling drama] compellingly adv …   English World dictionary

  • compelling — c.1600, prp. adj. from COMPEL (Cf. compel). Meaning irresistible is from 1901 …   Etymology dictionary

  • compelling — telling, convincing, cogent, sound, *valid …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • compelling — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ powerfully evoking attention or admiration. DERIVATIVES compellingly adverb …   English terms dictionary

  • compelling — com|pel|ling [kəmˈpelıŋ] adj 1.) compelling reason/argument/case etc an argument etc that makes you feel certain that something is true or that you must do something about it ▪ Lucy had no compelling reason to go into town. ▪ The court was… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • compelling — [[t]kəmpe̱lɪŋ[/t]] 1) ADJ GRADED: usu ADJ n A compelling argument or reason is one that convinces you that something is true or that something should be done. Factual and forensic evidence makes a suicide verdict the most compelling answer to the …   English dictionary

  • compelling — adj. 1 holding your attention VERBS ▪ be ▪ become ▪ find sth ADVERB ▪ very ▪ utterly …   Collocations dictionary

  • compelling — adjective Date: 1606 that compels: as a. forceful < a compelling personality > b. demanding attention < for compelling reasons > c. convincing < no compelling evidence > • compellingly …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • compelling — /keuhm pel ing/, adj. 1. tending to compel; overpowering: compelling reasons. 2. having a powerful and irresistible effect; requiring acute admiration, attention, or respect: a man of compelling integrity; a compelling drama. [1490 1500; COMPEL + …   Universalium

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