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.