force
(fôrs, frs)
n.
1. The capacity to do work or cause physical change; energy, strength, or active power: the force of an explosion.
2.
a. Power made operative against resistance; exertion: use force in driving a nail.
b. The use of physical power or violence to compel or restrain: a confession obtained by force.
3.
a. Intellectual power or vigor, especially as conveyed in writing or speech.
b. Moral strength.
c. A capacity for affecting the mind or behavior; efficacy: the force of logical argumentation.
d. One that possesses such capacity: the forces of evil.
4.
a. A body of persons or other resources organized or available for a certain purpose: a large labor force.
b. A person or group capable of influential action: a retired senator who is still a force in national politics.
5.
a. Military strength.
b. The entire military strength, as of a nation. Often used in the plural.
c. A unit of a nation's military personnel, especially one deployed into combat: Our forces have at last engaged the enemy.
6. Law Legal validity.
7. Physics A vector quantity that tends to produce an acceleration of a body in the direction of its application.
8. Baseball A force play.
tr.v. forced, forc·ing, forc·es
1. To compel through pressure or necessity: I forced myself to practice daily. He was forced to take a second job.
2.
a. To gain by the use of force or coercion: force a confession.
b. To move or effect against resistance or inertia: forced my foot into the shoe.
c. To inflict or impose relentlessly: He forced his ideas upon the group.
3.
a. To put undue strain on: She forced her voice despite being hoarse.
b. To increase or accelerate (a pace, for example) to the maximum.
c. To produce with effort and against one's will: force a laugh in spite of pain.
d. To use (language) with obvious lack of ease and naturalness.
4.
a. To move, open, or clear by force: forced our way through the crowd.
b. To break down or open by force: force a lock.
5. To rape.
6. Botany To cause to grow or mature by artificially accelerating normal processes.
7. Baseball
a. To put (a runner) out on a force play.
b. To allow (a run) to be scored by walking a batter when the bases are loaded.
8. Games To cause an opponent to play (a particular card).
Idioms:
force (someone's) hand
To force to act or speak prematurely or unwillingly.
in force
1. In full strength; in large numbers: Demonstrators were out in force.
2. In effect; operative: a rule that is no longer in force.
[Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin fortia, from neuter pl. of Latin fortis, strong; see bhergh-2 in Indo-European roots.]
force
a·ble adj.
forc
er n.
Synonyms: force, compel, coerce, constrain, oblige, obligate
These verbs mean to cause a person or thing to follow a prescribed or dictated course. Force, the most general, usually implies the exertion of physical power or the operation of circumstances that permit no options: Tear gas forced the fugitives out of their hiding place.
Compel applies especially to an act dictated by one in authority: Say nothing unless you're compelled to.
Coerce invariably implies the use of strength or harsh measures in securing compliance: "The man of genius rules . . . by persuading an efficient minority to coerce an indifferent and self-indulgent majority" James Fitzjames Stephen.
Constrain suggests that one is bound to a course of action by physical or moral means or by the operation of compelling circumstances: "I will never be by violence constrained to do anything" Elizabeth I.
Oblige implies the operation of authority, necessity, or moral or ethical considerations: "Work consists of whatever a body is obliged to do" Mark Twain.
Obligate applies when compliance is enforced by a legal contract or by the dictates of one's conscience or sense of propriety: I am obligated to repay the loan. See Also Synonyms at strength.
force 1
Noun
1. strength or power: the force of the impact had thrown him into the fireplace
2. exertion or the use of exertion against a person or thing that resists: they used force and repression against those who opposed their policies
3. Physics an influence that changes a body from a state of rest to one of motion or changes its rate of motion Symbol: F
4.
a. intellectual or moral influence: the Superintendent acknowledged the force of the Chief Constable's argument
b. a person or thing with such influence: Hitler quickly became the decisive force behind German foreign policy
5. drive or intensity: he reacted with frightening speed and force
6. a group of people organized for particular duties or tasks: a UN peacekeeping force
7. in force
a. (of a law) having legal validity
b. in great strength or numbers
Verb
[forcing, forced]
1. to compel (a person, group, etc.) to do something through effort, superior strength, etc.: forced into an arranged marriage
2. to acquire or produce through effort, superior strength, etc.: he forced a smile
3. to propel or drive despite resistance
4. to break down or open (a lock, door, etc.)
5. to impose or inflict: a series of opposition strikes forced the appointment of a coalition government
6. to cause (plants or farm animals) to grow at an increased rate [Latin fortis strong]
force 2
Noun
(in N England) a waterfall [Old Norse fors]
force
(fôrs)
1. Any of various factors that cause a body to change its speed, direction, or shape. Force is a vector quantity, having both magnitude and direction. Contributions of force from different sources can be summed to give the net force at any given point.
2. Any of the four natural phenomena involving the interaction between particles of matter. From the strongest to the weakest, the four forces are the strong nuclear force, the electromagnetic force, the weak nuclear force, and gravity.
Force a body of men prepared for action, 1375; a body of police; policemen collectively, 1851. See also army, host, troop.
