Main Entry:

com·pel

Pronunciation:

\kəm-ˈpel\

Function:

transitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

com·pelled; com·pel·ling

Etymology:

Middle English compellen, from Anglo-French compeller, from Latin compellere, from com- + pellere to drive — more at felt

Date:

14th century

1: to drive or urge forcefully or irresistibly <hunger compelled him to eat>2: to cause to do or occur by overwhelming pressure <public opinion compelled her to sign the bill>3archaic : to drive together

synonyms see force

— com·pel·la·ble \-ˈpe-lə-bəl\ adjective