force

[[t]fɔrs, foʊrs[/t]]

n. v. forced, forc•ing

1) physical power or strength:

to pull with all one's force[/ex]

2) strength exerted upon an object; physical coercion; violence:

to use force to open a door[/ex]

3) strength; energy; power:

the force of the waves; a personality of great force[/ex]

4) power to influence, affect, or control; efficacious power:

the force of circumstances[/ex]

5) law Law. unlawful violence threatened or committed against persons or property

6) persuasive power; power to convince:

the force of an argument[/ex]

7) mental or moral strength:

force of character[/ex]

8) might, as of a ruler or realm; strength for war

9) Often, forces. the military or fighting strength, esp. of a nation

10) any body of persons combined for joint action:

a sales force[/ex]

11) intensity or strength of effect:

the force of her acting[/ex]

12) phs Physics.

a) an influence on a body or system, producing or tending to produce a change in movement or shape or other effects

b) the intensity of such an influence

Symbol: F f

13) any influence or agency analogous to physical force:

social forces[/ex]

14) binding power, as of a contract

15) spo

force play

16) value; significance; meaning

17) to compel, constrain, or oblige (oneself or someone) to do something:

to force a suspect to confess[/ex]

18) to drive or propel against resistance

19) to bring about or effect by force

20) to bring about of necessity or as a necessary result:

to force a smile[/ex]

21) to put or impose (something or someone) forcibly on or upon a person:

to force one's opinions on others[/ex]

22) to obtain or draw forth by or as if by force; extort:

to force a confession[/ex]

23) to enter or take by force; overpower:

They forced the town after a long siege[/ex]

24) to break open (a door, lock, etc.)

25) bot to cause (plants, fruits, etc.) to grow or mature at an increased rate by artificial means

26) to press or urge (an animal, person, etc.) to violent effort or to the utmost

27) to use force upon

28) to rape

29) spo baseball

a) to cause (a base runner) to be put out in a force play

b) to cause (a base runner or run) to score, as by walking a batter with the bases full (often fol. by in)

30) gam (in cards)

a) to compel (a player) to trump by leading a suit of which the player has no cards

b) to compel a player to play (a particular card)

c) to compel (a player) to play so as to make known the strength of the hand

31) to make one's way by force

•

- in force

Etymology: 1250–1300; ME < MF < VL *fortia, der. of L fortis strong force′a•ble, adj. force′less, adj. forc′er, n.