enforce
VerbOpen English WordNet
Verb (2)enforced, enforcing
- ensure observance of laws and rules“Apply the rules to everyone”Synonyms: implementapplyMore general compel, obligeMore specific run, execute
- compel to behave in a certain way“Social relations impose courtesy”“duty constrains one to act often contrary to one's desires or inclinations”Synonyms: imposeconstrainMore general compel, oblige
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Origin: OF. enforcier to strengthen, force, F. enforcir; pref. en- (L. in) + F. force. See Force.
1. To put force upon; to force; to constrain; to compel; as, to enforce obedience to commands.
Inward joy enforced my heart to smile.— William Shakespeare
2. To make or gain by force; to obtain by force; as, to enforce a passage. “Enforcing furious way.” Edmund Spenser
3. To put in motion or action by violence; to drive.
As swift as stones Enforced from the old Assyrian slings.— William Shakespeare
4. To give force to; to strengthen; to invigorate; to urge with energy; as, to enforce arguments or requests.
Enforcing sentiment of the thrust humanity.— Edmund Burke
5. To put in force; to cause to take effect; to give effect to; to execute with vigor; as, to enforce the laws.
6. To urge; to ply hard; to lay much stress upon.
Enforce him with his envy to the people.— William Shakespeare
1. To attempt by force. obsolete
2. To prove; to evince. rare Richard Hooker
3. To strengthen; to grow strong. obsolete Geoffrey Chaucer
Force; strength; power. obsolete
A petty enterprise of small enforce.— John Milton
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54