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.
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2. To compel, as by strength of evidence; as, to force
conviction on the mind.
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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.
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To force their monarch and insult the court.
--Dryden.
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I should have forced thee soon wish other arms.
--Milton.
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To force a spotless virgin's chastity. --Shak.
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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.
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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.
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It stuck so fast, so deeply buried lay
That scarce the victor forced the steel away.
--Dryden.
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To force the tyrant from his seat by war. --Sahk.
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Ethelbert ordered that none should be forced into
religion. --Fuller.
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6. To put in force; to cause to be executed; to make binding;
to enforce. [Obs.]
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What can the church force more? --J. Webster.
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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.
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High on a mounting wave my head I bore,
Forcing my strength, and gathering to the shore.
--Dryden.
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8. (Whist) To compel (an adversary or partner) to trump a
trick by leading a suit of which he has none.
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9. To provide with forces; to re["e]nforce; to strengthen by
soldiers; to man; to garrison. [Obs.] --Shak.
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10. To allow the force of; to value; to care for. [Obs.]
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For me, I force not argument a straw. --Shak.
Syn: To compel; constrain; oblige; necessitate; coerce;
drive; press; impel.
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