v. t. [ OF. afforcier, LL. affortiare; ad + fortiare, fr. L. fortis strong. ] To reënforce; to strengthen. Hallam. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. ] 1. A fortress; a fortification for defense. [ Obs. ] Bailey. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A reënforcement; a strengthening. Hallam. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. An opposing force. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Deforced p. pr. & vb. n. Deforcing. ] [ OF. deforcier; de- or des- (L. de or dis-) + forcier, F. forcer. See Force, v. ] (Law) (a) To keep from the rightful owner; to withhold wrongfully the possession of, as of lands or a freehold. (b) (Scots Law) To resist the execution of the law; to oppose by force, as an officer in the execution of his duty. Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. ] (Law) (a) A keeping out by force or wrong; a wrongful withholding, as of lands or tenements, to which another has a right. (b) (Scots Law) Resistance to an officer in the execution of law. Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Same as Deforciant. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Efforced p. pr. & vb. n. Efforcing ] [ OF. esforcier (F. s'efforcer to exert one's self), LL. exforciare; L. ex + fortis strong. See Force. ] To force; to constrain; to compel to yield. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Enforced p. pr. & vb. n. Enforcing ] [ OF. enforcier to strengthen, force, F. enforcir; pref. en- (L. in) + F. force. See Force. ] 1. To put force upon; to force; to constrain; to compel; as, to enforce obedience to commands. [ 1913 Webster ]

Inward joy enforced my heart to smile. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To make or gain by force; to obtain by force; as, to enforce a passage. “Enforcing furious way.” Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To put in motion or action by violence; to drive. [ 1913 Webster ]

As swift as stones
Enforced from the old Assyrian slings. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To give force to; to strengthen; to invigorate; to urge with energy; as, to enforce arguments or requests. [ 1913 Webster ]

Enforcing sentiment of the thrust humanity. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To put in force; to cause to take effect; to give effect to; to execute with vigor; as, to enforce the laws. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. To urge; to ply hard; to lay much stress upon. [ 1913 Webster ]

Enforce him with his envy to the people. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To attempt by force. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To prove; to evince. [ R. ] Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To strengthen; to grow strong. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Force; strength; power. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

A petty enterprise of small enforce. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Capable of being enforced. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Compelled; forced; not voluntary. “Enforced wrong.” “Enforced smiles.” Shak. -- En*for"ced*ly, adv. Shak. [1913 Webster]

n. [ Cf. OF. enforcement. ] 1. The act of enforcing; compulsion. [ 1913 Webster ]

He that contendeth against these enforcements may easily master or resist them. Sir W. Raleigh. [ 1913 Webster ]

Confess 't was hers, and by what rough enforcement
You got it from her. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A giving force to; a putting in execution. [ 1913 Webster ]

Enforcement of strict military discipline. Palfrey. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. That which enforces, constraints, gives force, authority, or effect to; constraint; force applied. [ 1913 Webster ]

The rewards and punishment of another life, which the Almighty has established as the enforcements of his law. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who enforces. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ See Farce to stuff. ] To stuff; to lard; to farce. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Wit larded with malice, and malice forced with wit. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. fors, foss, Dan. fos. ] A waterfall; a cascade. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

To see the falls for force of the river Kent. T. Gray. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. force, LL. forcia, fortia, fr. L. fortis strong. See Fort, n. ] 1. Capacity of exercising an influence or producing an effect; strength or energy of body or mind; active power; vigor; might; often, an unusual degree of strength or energy; especially, power to persuade, or convince, or impose obligation; pertinency; validity; special signification; as, the force of an appeal, an argument, a contract, or a term. [ 1913 Webster ]

He was, in the full force of the words, a good man. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Power exerted against will or consent; compulsory power; violence; coercion; as, by force of arms; to take by force. [ 1913 Webster ]

Which now they hold by force, and not by right. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Strength or power for war; hence, a body of land or naval combatants, with their appurtenances, ready for action; -- an armament; troops; warlike array; -- often in the plural; hence, a body of men prepared for action in other ways; as, the laboring force of a plantation; the armed forces. [ 1913 Webster ]

Is Lucius general of the forces? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Law) (a) Strength or power exercised without law, or contrary to law, upon persons or things; violence. (b) Validity; efficacy. Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Physics) Any action between two bodies which changes, or tends to change, their relative condition as to rest or motion; or, more generally, which changes, or tends to change, any physical relation between them, whether mechanical, thermal, chemical, electrical, magnetic, or of any other kind; as, the force of gravity; cohesive force; centrifugal force. [ 1913 Webster ]

Animal force (Physiol.), muscular force or energy. --
Catabiotic force [ Gr. &unr_; down (intens.) + &unr_; life. ] (Biol.), the influence exerted by living structures on adjoining cells, by which the latter are developed in harmony with the primary structures. --
Centrifugal force,
Centripetal force,
Coercive force, etc. See under Centrifugal, Centripetal, etc. --
Composition of forces,
Correlation of forces, etc. See under Composition, Correlation, etc. --
Force and arms [ trans. of L. vi et armis ] (Law), an expression in old indictments, signifying violence. --
In force, or
Of force, of unimpaired efficacy; valid; of full virtue; not suspended or reversed. “A testament is of force after men are dead.” Heb. ix. 17. --
Metabolic force (Physiol.), the influence which causes and controls the metabolism of the body. --
No force, no matter of urgency or consequence; no account; hence, to do no force, to make no account of; not to heed. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. --
Of force, of necessity; unavoidably; imperatively. “Good reasons must, of force, give place to better.” Shak. --
Plastic force (Physiol.), the force which presumably acts in the growth and repair of the tissues. --
Vital force (Physiol.), that force or power which is inherent in organization; that form of energy which is the cause of the vital phenomena of the body, as distinguished from the physical forces generally known.

Syn. -- Strength; vigor; might; energy; stress; vehemence; violence; compulsion; coaction; constraint; coercion. -- Force, Strength. Strength looks rather to power as an inward capability or energy. Thus we speak of the strength of timber, bodily strength, mental strength, strength of emotion, etc. Force, on the other hand, looks more to the outward; as, the force of gravitation, force of circumstances, force of habit, etc. We do, indeed, speak of strength of will and force of will; but even here the former may lean toward the internal tenacity of purpose, and the latter toward the outward expression of it in action. But, though the two words do in a few cases touch thus closely on each other, there is, on the whole, a marked distinction in our use of force and strength. “Force is the name given, in mechanical science, to whatever produces, or can produce, motion.” Nichol. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thy tears are of no force to mollify
This flinty man. Heywood. [ 1913 Webster ]

More huge in strength than wise in works he was. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

Adam and first matron Eve
Had ended now their orisons, and found
Strength added from above, new hope to spring
Out of despair. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Forced p. pr. & vb. n. Forcing ] [ OF. forcier, F. forcer, fr. LL. forciare, fortiare. See Force, n. ] 1. To constrain to do or to forbear, by the exertion of a power not resistible; to compel by physical, moral, or intellectual means; to coerce; as, masters force slaves to labor. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To compel, as by strength of evidence; as, to force conviction on the mind. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To do violence to; to overpower, or to compel by violence to one's will; especially, to ravish; to violate; to commit rape upon. [ 1913 Webster ]

To force their monarch and insult the court. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

I should have forced thee soon wish other arms. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

To force a spotless virgin's chastity. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To obtain, overcome, or win by strength; to take by violence or struggle; specifically, to capture by assault; to storm, as a fortress; as, to force the castle; to force a lock. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To impel, drive, wrest, extort, get, etc., by main strength or violence; -- with a following adverb, as along, away, from, into, through, out, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

It stuck so fast, so deeply buried lay
That scarce the victor forced the steel away. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

To force the tyrant from his seat by war. Sahk. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ethelbert ordered that none should be forced into religion. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. To put in force; to cause to be executed; to make binding; to enforce. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

What can the church force more? J. Webster. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. To exert to the utmost; to urge; hence, to strain; to urge to excessive, unnatural, or untimely action; to produce by unnatural effort; as, to force a conceit or metaphor; to force a laugh; to force fruits. [ 1913 Webster ]

High on a mounting wave my head I bore,
Forcing my strength, and gathering to the shore. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. (Whist) To compel (an adversary or partner) to trump a trick by leading a suit of which he has none. [ 1913 Webster ]

9. To provide with forces; to reënforce; to strengthen by soldiers; to man; to garrison. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

10. To allow the force of; to value; to care for. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

For me, I force not argument a straw. Shak.

Syn. -- To compel; constrain; oblige; necessitate; coerce; drive; press; impel. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ Obs. in all the senses. ] 1. To use violence; to make violent effort; to strive; to endeavor. [ 1913 Webster ]

Forcing with gifts to win his wanton heart. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To make a difficult matter of anything; to labor; to hesitate; hence, to force of, to make much account of; to regard. [ 1913 Webster ]

Your oath once broke, you force not to forswear. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

I force not of such fooleries. Camden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To be of force, importance, or weight; to matter. [ 1913 Webster ]

It is not sufficient to have attained the name and dignity of a shepherd, not forcing how. Udall. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Done or produced with force or great labor, or by extraordinary exertion; hurried; strained; produced by unnatural effort or pressure; as, a forced style; a forced laugh. [ 1913 Webster ]

Forced draught. See under Draught. --
Forced march (Mil.), a march of one or more days made with all possible speed.

-- For"ced*ly adv. -- For"ced*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. to feed (someone) against his will, as during a hunger strike. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. a method of lubricating internal combustion engines in which a pump forces oil into the engine bearings.
Syn. -- lubricating system, force-feed lubricating system, force feed, pressure-feed lubricating system, pressure feed. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. Full of or processing force; exerting force; mighty. -- Force"ful*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

Against the steed he threw
His forceful spear. Dryden. [1913 Webster]

n. physical energy or intensity.
Syn. -- force, strength. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. Having little or no force; feeble. [ 1913 Webster ]

These forceless flowers like sturdy trees support me. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Corrupt. for farce-meat, fr. F. farce stuffing. See Farce, n. ] (Cookery) Meat chopped fine and highly seasoned, either served up alone, or used as a stuffing. [ Written also forced meat. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of forcing; compulsion. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

It was imposed upon us by constraint;
And will you count such forcement treachery? J. Webster. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. forceps, -cipis, from the root of formus Hot + capere to take; akin to E. heave. Cf. Furnace. ] 1. A pair of pinchers, or tongs; an instrument for grasping, holding firmly, or exerting traction upon, bodies which it would be inconvenient or impracticable to seize with the fingers, especially one for delicate operations, as those of watchmakers, surgeons, accoucheurs, dentists, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Zool.) The caudal forceps-shaped appendage of earwigs and some other insects. See Earwig. [ 1913 Webster ]

Dressing forceps. See under Dressing. [ 1913 Webster ]

(Mach.) (a) A pump having a solid piston, or plunger, for drawing and forcing a liquid, as water, through the valves; in distinction from a pump having a bucket, or valved piston. (b) A pump adapted for delivering water at a considerable height above the pump, or under a considerable pressure; in distinction from one which lifts the water only to the top of the pump or delivers it through a spout. See Illust. of Plunger pump, under Plunger. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who, or that which, forces or drives. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Mech.) (a) The solid piston of a force pump; the instrument by which water is forced in a pump. (b) A small hand pump for sinking pits, draining cellars, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The force caused by a magnetic field, a force which affects objects having a magnetic field and objects in which a magnetic field can be induced, such as ferromagnetic substances; a magnetic force manifests itself as an attraction for iron. It is associated with electric currents and moving charged paticles as well as permanent magnets.
Syn. -- magnetism, magnetic attraction. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

(Physics), n. A line of force in a magnetic field. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. The force that produces magnetic flux. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. Excessive force; violence. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. [ F. par (L. per) + force. ] By force; of necessity; at any rate. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To force; to compel. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. renforcer. ] See Reënforce. [ Obs. ] Bailey. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ Pref. re- + enforce: cf. F. renforcer. ] 1. To strengthen with new force, assistance, material, or support; as, to reenforce an argument; to reenforce a garment; especially, to strengthen with additional troops, as an army or a fort, or with additional ships, as a fleet. [ Written also reinforce. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Psychology) To increase the likelihood that (a specific behavior) will be repeated by giving a reward or punishment to a person or animal; as, to reenforce the students' willingness to study by giving awards for good grades. [ PJC ]

n. [ See Reenforce, v., and cf. Ranforce, Reinforce. ] Something which reenforces or strengthens. Specifically: (a) That part of a cannon near the breech which is thicker than the rest of the piece, so as better to resist the force of the exploding powder. See Illust. of Cannon. (b) An additional thickness of canvas, cloth, or the like, around an eyelet, buttonhole, etc. [ Written also reinforce. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

. Concrete having within its mass a system of iron or steel supports, such as bars, rods, or a heavy mesh, to provide increased tensile strength and shear resistance. Same as Ferro-concrete.
Syn. -- reinforced concrete. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC ]

n. 1. The act of reenforcing, or the state of being reenforced. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which reenforces; additional force; especially, additional troops or force to augment the strength of any army, or ships to strengthen a navy or fleet. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Psychology) A reward or punishment which is given to a person or animal in order to increase the likelihood that a specific behavior will be repeated. [ PJC ]

n. See Reenforce, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. See Reenforce, v. t. [ 1913 Webster ]

. Concrete having within its mass a system of iron or steel supports, such as bars, rods, or a heavy mesh, to provide increased tensile strength and shear resistance. Same as Ferro-concrete. [ Also spelled reenforced concrete. ] [ Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC ]

n. See Reenforcement. [ 1913 Webster ]