deforce

[dih-fawrs, -fohrs]

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.

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

Related formsde·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

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 Formsdeforcement, 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