browse words by letter
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
more about coerce
coerce |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Coerce \Co*erce"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Coerced}; p. pr & vb n. {Coercing}.] [L. co["e]rcere; co- + arcere to shut up to press together. See {Ark}.] 1. To restrain by force, especially by law or authority; to repress; to curb. --Burke. Punishments are manifold, that they may coerce this profligate sort. --Ayliffe. 2. To compel or constrain to any action as to coerce a man to vote for a certain candidate. 3. To compel or enforce; as to coerce obedience. Syn: To {Coerce}, {Compel}. Usage: To compel denotes to urge on by force which cannot be resisted. The term aplies equally to physical and moral force; as compelled by hunger; compelled adverse circumstances; compelled by parental affection. Coerce had at first only the negative sense of checking or restraining by force; as to coerce a bad man by punishments or a prisoner with fetters. It has now gained a positive sense., viz., that of driving a person into the performance of some act which is required of him by another; as to coerce a man to sign a contract; to coerce obedience. In this sense (which is now the prevailing one), coerce differs but little from compel, and yet there is a distinction between them Coercion is usually acomplished by indirect means as threats and intimidation, physical force being more rarely employed in coercing. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: coerce v : to cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means :"She forced him to take a job in the city" [syn: {pressure}, {force}]
more about coerce
This work is licensed under a
