It is “an act of force to compel our enemy to do our will” by spilling blood, and lots of it.
And the truth that language changes over time does not compel us to endorse any particular change.
Which brings us to the images that compel our attention today.
“The government cannot compel a nonbeliever to take an oath that affirms the existence of a supreme being,” Miller added.
Owen will have the power to compel the production of witnesses and documents from the British security and intelligence services.
Send an army into Attica, and compel the Athenians to withdraw their forces from Potidaea.
Will you then ostracize the South and compel the abolition of slavery?
If he does not mind being whipped, there is nothing to compel him to work for his master.
No one shall ever compel me to paint a picture again with so much labour.
These laws surround us and compel us; sometimes they wound us.
mid-14c., from Old French compellir, from Latin compellere "to drive together, drive to one place" (of cattle), "to force or compel" (of persons), from com- "together" (see com-) + pellere "to drive" (see pulse (n.1)). Related: Compelled; compelling.
