compel

Meaning

Verb

To drive together, round up
To overpower; to subdue.
To force, constrain or coerce.
To exact, extort, (make) produce by force.
To force to yield; to overpower; to subjugate.
To gather or unite in a crowd or company.
To call forth; to summon.

Origin

From Middle English compellen, borrowed from Middle French compellir, from Latin compello, itself from com- + pellere. Displaced native Middle English fordriven ("to drive out, to lead to, to compel, to force"), from Old English fordrīfan. More at fordrive.

Modern English dictionary

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