Com-pel', v. t.
v. t. [imp. & p. p. COMPELLED; p. pr. & vb. n. COMPELLING.] [Lat. compellere, from com, for con, and pellere, to drive; O. Fr. & Fr. compellier, compellir; Sp. compellir, compeller, Pg. compellir.]
Sense 1. To drive or urge with force, or irresistibly; to constrain; to oblige; to necessitate, either by physical or moral force.
Wolsey, greatly dissatisfied with this imperfect obedience, compelled the people to pay up the whole subsidy at once. Hallam.
Sense 2. To take by force or violence; to seize.
The subjects' grief Comes through commissions, which compel from each A sixth part of his substance. Shak.
Sense 3. To seize; to overpower; to hold. “Easy sleep their weary limbs compelled.” Dryden.
Sense 4. To gather or unite in a crowd or company. [A Latinism.] “In one troop compelled.” Dryden.
Sense 5. To call forth. [Obs.] Spenser.
The powers that I compel Shall throw thee hence. Chapman.
Synonyms—To force; constrain; oblige; necessitate; coerce.