King James Bible Dictionary

COMPEL, verb transitive

1. To drive or urge with force, or irresistibly; to constrain; to oblige; to necessitate, either by physical or moral force.

Thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bound servant. Leviticus 25:39.

And they compel one Simon--to bear his cross. Mark 15:21.

Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. Luke 14:23.

Circumstances compel us to practice economy.

2. To force; to take by force, or violence; to seize.

The subjects grief comes through commissions, which compel from each a sixth part of his substance.

3. To drive together; to gather; to unite in a crowd or company. A Latinism, compellere gregem.

In one troop compelled.

4. To seize; to overpower; to hold.

And easy sleep their weary limbs compelled.

5. To call forth, Latin compeller.

COMPELLABLE, adjective That may be driven, forced or constrained.

COMPELLABLY, adverb By compulsion.

COMPELLATION, noun Style or manner of address; the word of salutation.

The compellation of the Kings of France is by sire.

COMPELLED, participle passive Forced; constrained; obliged.

COMPELLER, noun One who compels or constrains.

COMPELLING, participle present tense Driving by force; constraining; obliging.