deforce

[ dih-fawrs, -fohrs ]

/ dɪˈfɔrs, -ˈfoʊrs /

verb (used with object), de·forced, de·forc·ing. Law.

to withhold (property, especially land) by force or violence, as from the rightful owner.

to eject or evict by force.

Words nearby deforce

defoe, defog, defogger, defoliant, defoliate, deforce, deforciant, deforest, deforestation, deform, deformalize

Origin of deforce

1250–1300; Middle English < Anglo-French deforcer, Old French de(s)forcier, equivalent to de(s)- de- + forc(i)er to force

OTHER WORDS FROM deforce

de·force·ment, nounde·forc·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for deforce

deforce

/ (dɪˈfɔːs) /

verb (tr) property law

to withhold (property, esp land) wrongfully or by force from the rightful owner

to eject or keep forcibly from possession of property

Derived forms of deforce

deforcement, noun

Word Origin for deforce

C13: from Anglo-French, from deforcer

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012