Word: force Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Middle English forcen, from Old French forcier, from Late Latin *fortiāre, from Latin fortia. Pronunciation: /fɔːs/, /foːs/, /foɹs/, [fo̞ɹs], /foɾs/ 1. To make someone or something do something, often regardless of their will. Labels: transitive Example: Captain Edward Carlisle[…]felt a curious sensation of helplessness seize upon him as he met her steady gaze,[…]; he could not tell what this prisoner might do. He cursed the fate which had assigned such a duty, cursed especially that fate which forced a gallant soldier to meet so superb a woman as this under handicap so hard. Example: The second problem is the economy, the shocking state of which has forced the decision to apply to the EU. 2. To constrain by force; to overcome the limitations or resistance of. Labels: transitive Example: Shall wee force the general law of nature, which in all living creatures under heaven is seene to tremble at paine? 3. To drive (something) by force, to propel (generally + prepositional phrase or adverb). Labels: transitive Example: It stuck so fast, so deeply buried lay / That scarce the victor forced the steel away. Example: to force the tyrant from his seat by war 4. To cause to occur (despite inertia, resistance etc.); to produce through force. Labels: transitive Example: The comedian's jokes weren't funny, but I forced a laugh now and then. Example: Janet Tobacman of Woman Organized for Reproductive Choice (WORC) in Chicago and New Jewish Agenda stated, "R2N2 needs omre discussion and action around sexuality in general," forcing a concern that had little discussion throughout the conference. 5. To forcibly open (a door, lock etc.). Labels: transitive Example: I forgot my keys in and so we had to force (open) the door. 6. To violate (a woman); to rape. Labels: transitive Example: For yf ye were suche fyfty as ye be / ye were not able to make resystence ageynst this deuyl / here lyeth a duchesse deede the whiche was the fayrest of alle the world wyf to syre Howel / duc of Bretayne / he hath murthred her in forcynge her / and has slytte her vnto the nauyl Example: a young woman not farre from mee had headlong cast her selfe out of a high window, with intent to kill herselfe, only to avoid the ravishment of a rascally-base souldier that lay in her house, who offered to force her[…]. 7. To exert oneself, to do one's utmost. Labels: intransitive, obsolete, reflexive Example: And I pray you for my sake to force yourselff there, that men may speke you worshyp. 8. To obtain or win by strength; to take by violence or struggle; specifically, to capture by assault; to storm, as a fortress. 9. To create an out by touching a base in advance of a runner who has no base to return to while in possession of a ball which has already touched the ground. Labels: transitive Example: Jones forced the runner at second by stepping on the bag. 10. To compel (an adversary or partner) to trump a trick by leading a suit that he/she does not hold. 11. To put in force; to cause to be executed; to make binding; to enforce. Labels: archaic Example: VVhat can the Church force more? 12. To provide with forces; to reinforce; to strengthen by soldiers; to man; to garrison. Labels: archaic Example: Were they not forc’d with thoſe that ſhould be ours, / We might haue met them darefull, beard to beard, / And beate them backward home. 13. To allow the force of; to value; to care for. Labels: obsolete Example: For me, I force not argument a straw. 14. To grow (rhubarb) in the dark, causing it to grow early.