Forcing

Force Force, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Forced}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Forcing}.] [OF. forcier, F. forcer, fr. LL. forciare, fortiare. See {Force}, n.] 1. To constrain to do or to forbear, by the exertion of a power not resistible; to compel by physical, moral, or intellectual means; to coerce; as, masters force slaves to labor. [1913 Webster]

2. To compel, as by strength of evidence; as, to force conviction on the mind. [1913 Webster]

3. To do violence to; to overpower, or to compel by violence to one's will; especially, to ravish; to violate; to commit rape upon. [1913 Webster]

To force their monarch and insult the court. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

I should have forced thee soon wish other arms. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

To force a spotless virgin's chastity. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

4. To obtain, overcome, or win by strength; to take by violence or struggle; specifically, to capture by assault; to storm, as a fortress; as, to force the castle; to force a lock. [1913 Webster]

5. To impel, drive, wrest, extort, get, etc., by main strength or violence; -- with a following adverb, as along, away, from, into, through, out, etc. [1913 Webster]

It stuck so fast, so deeply buried lay That scarce the victor forced the steel away. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

To force the tyrant from his seat by war. --Sahk. [1913 Webster]

Ethelbert ordered that none should be forced into religion. --Fuller. [1913 Webster]

6. To put in force; to cause to be executed; to make binding; to enforce. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

What can the church force more? --J. Webster. [1913 Webster]

7. To exert to the utmost; to urge; hence, to strain; to urge to excessive, unnatural, or untimely action; to produce by unnatural effort; as, to force a conceit or metaphor; to force a laugh; to force fruits. [1913 Webster]

High on a mounting wave my head I bore, Forcing my strength, and gathering to the shore. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

8. (Whist) To compel (an adversary or partner) to trump a trick by leading a suit of which he has none. [1913 Webster]

9. To provide with forces; to re["e]nforce; to strengthen by soldiers; to man; to garrison. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]

10. To allow the force of; to value; to care for. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

For me, I force not argument a straw. --Shak.

Syn: To compel; constrain; oblige; necessitate; coerce; drive; press; impel. [1913 Webster]