2. To prove; to evince. [R.] --Hooker.
[1913 Webster]
3. To strengthen; to grow strong. [Obs.] --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
enforce — en·force vt en·forced, en·forc·ing: to cause to take effect or to be fulfilled enforcing the divorce decree Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation U.S. Constitution amend. XIX Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of… … Law dictionary
Enforce — En*force , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Enforced}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Enforcing}.] [OF. enforcier to strengthen, force, F. enforcir; pref. en (L. in) + F. force. See {Force}.] 1. To put force upon; to force; to constrain; to compel; as, to enforce… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
enforce — enforce, implement are comparable when they mean to put something into effect or operation. Enforce is used chiefly in reference to laws or statutes. The term suggests the exercise of executive rather than legislative power or the use of the… … New Dictionary of Synonyms
enforce — [en fôrs′, infôrs′] vt. enforced, enforcing [ME enforcen < OFr enforcier < en , in + force, FORCE] 1. to give force to; urge [to enforce an argument by analogies] 2. to bring about or impose by force [to enforce one s will on a child] 3. to … English World dictionary
Enforce — En*force , n. Force; strength; power. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] A petty enterprise of small enforce. Milton. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
enforce — UK US /ɪnˈfɔːs/ US / ˈfɔːrs/ verb [T] ► LAW to make sure that people obey something such as a law or rule: »Regulations do not mean anything unless they are enforced. »The bar had a lawsuit filed against it for not enforcing the smoking ban. ►… … Financial and business terms
enforce — early 14c., to drive by physical force; mid 14c., make an effort; strengthen a place; compel, from O.Fr. enforcier or from EN (Cf. en ) (1) make, put in + FORCE (Cf. force). Related: Enforced; enforcing … Etymology dictionary
enforce — is the correct spelling, not inforce (which however survives in reinforce). Its typical grammatical objects are such things as a law or rule, a ban, a policy, a person s wish, etc. The derived adjective is enforceable … Modern English usage
enforce — [v] put a rule, plan in force accomplish, administer, administrate, apply, carry out, coerce, commandeer, compel, constrain, crack down, demand, dictate, discharge, dragoon, drive, effect, egg on*, emphasize, exact, execute, exert, expect, extort … New thesaurus
enforce — ► VERB 1) compel compliance with (a law, rule, or obligation). 2) cause to happen by necessity or force. DERIVATIVES enforceable adjective enforced adjective enforcement noun enforcer noun … English terms dictionary
