forcen.1
/fɔːs/, U.S. /fɔrs/ I. Strength, power.† 1. † b. of force: full of strength, vigorous. Obsolete.† d. to make great force: to exert oneself. to do one's force: to do one's utmost. Obsolete.
a. Physical strength, might, or vigour, as an attribute of living beings (occasionally of liquor). Rarely in plural (= French forces). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [noun]
greennesseOE
lustinessc1325
forcea1375
vigourc1386
virrc1575
vigour1602
nerve1605
vivacity1649
vis1650
actuosity1660
amenity1661
vogue1674
energy1783
smeddum1790
dash1796
throughput1808
feck1811
go1825
steam1826
jism1842
vim1843
animalism1848
fizz1856
jasm1860
verve1863
snap1865
sawdusta1873
élan1880
stingo1885
energeticism1891
sprawl1894
zip1899
pep1908
jazz1912
zoom1926
toe1963
zap1968
stank1997
the world > life > the body > bodily constitution > bodily strength > [noun]
mighteOE
avelOE
mainOE
strengthOE
strengthOE
virtuec1330
forcea1375
birr1382
valure1440
firmitude?1541
thews1566
iron1695
invalescence1755
physicals1824
beef1851
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 3598 Þouȝh he hade fors of foure swiche oþer.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 7244 Thoru his fax his force was tint.
a1400–50 Alexander 1006 And now vs failis all oure force & oure flesch waykis.
?1507 W. Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen (Rouen) in Poems (1998) I. 46 He has a forme without force.
1576 A. Fleming tr. Solon in Panoplie Epist. 194 Chosen men, hugest in stature, and fullest of force.
1610 S. Rid Martin Mark-all 22 Their Beere is of that force, and so mightie, that it serueth them in steade of meate, drinke, fire, and apparrell.
1611 Bible (King James) Deut. xxxiv. 7 His eye was not dimme, nor his naturall force abated. View more context for this quotation
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics i, in tr. Virgil Wks. 56 Young Elms with early force in Copses bow. View more context for this quotation
1715 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad I. iii. 89 Thy Force like Steel a temper'd Hardness shows.
1816 M. Keating Trav. (1817) I. 245 The great hero of antiquity, in the thieving line, was eminent by his physical forces.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > [adjective] > of health: good > resistant to disease, etc.
strongeOE
stalworthc1175
starka1250
stiff1297
stalworthyc1300
vigorousc1330
stoura1350
lustyc1374
marrowya1382
sturdyc1386
crank1398
robust1490
vigorious1502
stalwart1508
hardy1548
robustious1548
of force1577
rustical1583
marrowed1612
rustic1620
robustic1652
solid1741
refractory1843
salted1864
resistant1876
saulteda1879
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry ii. f. 75 The Wyllowes must be holpen with often watringes, that the nature of the tree may be of force [L. ut natura ligni vigeat].
c. †with (one's) force: with energy, with exertion of one's strength. with all one's force: putting forth all one's strength.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > acting vigorously or energetically [phrase] > with great vigour or energy
with (also in) mood and maineOE
vigour13..
with or by (all one's) might and mainc1330
with (one's) forcec1380
like anything1665
hammer and tongs1708
like stour1787
(in) double tides1788
like blazes1818
like winking1827
with a will1827
like winky1830
like all possessed1833
in a big way1840
like (or worse than) sin1840
full swing1843
like a Trojan1846
like one o'clock1847
like sixty1848
like forty1852
like wildfire1857
like old boots1865
like blue murder1867
like steam1905
like stink1929
like one thing1938
like a demon1945
up a storm1953
the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > [phrase] > with all one's might
(at, by, with) all one's mightOE
by (also by one's) powerc1300
with or by (all one's) might and mainc1330
at (also at all, after) one's power1384
upon one's powerc1400
to (the best of, the uttermost of, the extent of) one's power?a1425
tooth and naila1535
with tooth and naila1535
with both hands1549
with teeth and alla1600
horse and footc1600
with all one's force1677
for all it's worth1864
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 3036 ‘Leggeþ on, Lordes,’ said he, ‘wiþ force & smyteþ strokes smerte.’
c1400 Ywaine & Gaw. 2897 With hir force sho hasted so fast That sho over~toke him at the last.
a1500 (?c1400) Sir Triamour (Cambr.) (1937) l. 829 He prekyd to þe kyng wyth fors.
1582 N. Lichefield tr. F. L. de Castanheda 1st Bk. Hist. Discouerie E. Indias xxxiii. 80 b And rowing with force tooke two of the Pledges.
1677 N. Cox Gentleman's Recreation (ed. 2) i. 95 The Hounds..running with all their force.
1841 E. W. Lane tr. Thousand & One Nights I. 86 Strike the ball.. with all thy force.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > exert oneself or make an effort [verb (intransitive)]
tillc897
stightlea1375
stretcha1375
wrestlea1382
to put it forthc1390
to put one's hand(s) to (also unto)a1398
paina1400
takea1400
to do one's busy pain (also care, cure, diligence)?a1430
to make great force?c1450
makec1485
to stir one's stumpsa1500
to bestir one's stumps1549
to make work1574
put1596
bestira1616
operate1650
to lay out1659
to be at pains1709
exerta1749
tew1787
maul1821
to take (the) trouble1830
to pull outc1835
bother1840
trouble1880
to buck up1890
hump1897
to go somea1911
the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > exert oneself or make an effort [verb (intransitive)] > do one's utmost
to do (also lay) one's mightc1175
to do, make one's wisec1290
to do (also make) one's powerc1390
to hold (also keep) foot withc1438
to do one's force?c1450
to do or die1487
to do one's endeavour(sc1500
to do the best of one's power1523
to do (also try) one's best1585
to do one's possible1792
to pull out all the stops1927
to bust (also break) one's balls1968
?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 6904 To wirschip it he did his fors.
?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 6182 Forto witt he made grete force.
2. † b. said of the violent onset of combatants in battle. Obsolete.† c. within one's force: within the range of his attack or defence. (Cf. dint n. 2d.)† d. Violence or ‘stress’ of weather. in the force of weather: exposed to the brunt of its attack. Obsolete.
a. As an attribute of physical action or movement: Strength, impetus, violence, or intensity of effect. Also with reference to the force of wind described by numbers in the Beaufort scale.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [noun] > vigour or intensity of action > force or intensity of operation or effect
strengthOE
forcec1320
vigour?a1445
forcibleness1563
accent1591
edgea1593
strongnessa1604
keenness?1606
forcefulness1825
power drive1927
kilowattage1935
wattage1964
welly1977
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > study or science of weather > study or science of specific conditions or phenomena > [noun] > study or science of wind > measurement of force > scale > force with reference to
force1867
c1320 Sir Beues 3405 (MS. A.) With a dent of gret fors A-bar him doun of his hors.
c1400 Ywaine & Gaw. 2452 With grete force he lete it fall.
1582 N. Lichefield tr. F. L. de Castanheda 1st Bk. Hist. Discouerie E. Indias xxix. 73 b The tackling..of the Shippes, with the great force of the winde, made such a terrible noyse.
1609 S. Rowlands Famous Hist. Guy Earle of Warwick 35 And makes them curse that e're they felt the force of Christian blows.
1680 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. xii. 205 By the force and strength of the Wedge.
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World ix. 247 The Sea falls with such force on the shore.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth III. 67 They break the force of the fall.
1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall III. 80 The force of the strongest and sharpest tools had been tried without effect.
a1796 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) I. 376 The snowy ruin smokes along, With doubling speed and gathering force.
1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. & Art I. 347 The force of a stream.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. (at cited word) Force of wind, now described by numbers, 0 being calm, 12 the heaviest gale.
1933 Jane's Fighting Ships 22 Trials..151,000 S.H.P. = 32·07 kts. (run in bad weather, wind force 6 Beaufort scale).
1961 Times 5 Aug. 3/1 South-westerly winds between force 5 and force 6 on the Beaufort scale meant rigorous yachting conditions.
1963 Listener 21 Mar. 528/3 The wind is not only there, but assuming the proportions of a force-ten hurricane.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > armed encounter > [noun] > battle or a battle > onslaught of battle
forcea1400
joint?c1550
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 7760 O þis batail þat was sa snell, þe force a-pon þe king it fell.
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) ii. 429 Yat war sa few yat yai na mycht Endur ye fors mar off ye fycht.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lix. 206 The forse of the paynyms was so gret that at length they coude not abyde it.
1582 N. Lichefield tr. F. L. de Castanheda 1st Bk. Hist. Discouerie E. Indias lxxix. 162 Heere..was all the force of the battaile.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > distance > [phrase] > that may be reached > within range or reach
within reachc1515
within one's strokea1533
in the (also one's) way1534
within power1548
under the dint of1577
in(to), within, out of shot1635
within arm's reacha1652
within one's force1680
within touch1753
in touch1854
within wind of1865
1680 T. Otway Orphan i. 3 When on the brink the foaming Boar I met, And in his side thought to have lodg'd my spear, The desperate savage rusht within my Force, And bore me headlong with him down the Rock.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > [phrase] > exposed to the weather
in the force of weather1614
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > bad weather > [noun] > condition of > stress of weather
anguishc1330
force1614
urgency1660
rack1865
1614 W. Raleigh Hist. World i. iii. viii. §4. 90 A creeke, which is a good harbour for ships, the force of weather being borne off by the head-Land and Isle.
a1640 T. Risdon Chorogr. Surv. Devon (1811) (modernized text) §215 223 A high rock, called Crocken-Torr..where is a table and seats of moorstone..lying in the force of all weather, no house or refuge being near it.
3. † c. with force: with, or by the employment of, military strength or numbers. Cf. 5b. Sometimes apparently = in force at sense 17. Obsolete.
a. Power or might (of a ruler, realm, or the like); esp. military strength or power.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military power > [noun]
swordc1000
strengthOE
powerc1300
force1303
land-power1490
bayonet1775
sword-arm1838
sabre1851
sword-craft1855
society > authority > power > [noun]
i-waldeOE
armOE
craftOE
mightOE
poustiea1275
mound?a1300
powerc1300
force1303
mighta1325
wielda1325
mightiheada1382
mightinessc1390
mightheada1400
mightinga1400
puissance1420
mightfulnessa1425
vallente1475
potence1483
state1488
potencya1500
potestation?c1500
potent1512
puissantness1552
sinew1560
puissancy1562
potentness1581
powerableness1591
powerfulnessc1595
potestatea1600
pollency1623
potentiality1627
potentialness1668
poust1827
mana1843
magnum force1977
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 3685 Ȝyf þou any man manasse Þurghe force or power þat þou hasse.
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 191 Þe Sarazin force doun his, Jhesu we þank þe.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. viii. 73 If any were..That wold my fors downe fell.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 100 Quhois force all France in fame did magnifie.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 (1623) v. i. 77 And loe, where George of Clarence sweepes along, Of force enough to bid his Brother Battaile. View more context for this quotation
1756 E. Burke Vindic. Nat. Society 18 In the same Place where his Predecessors had..wasted the Force of so extensive an Empire.
1796 E. Burke Two Lett. Peace Regicide Directory France ii, in Wks. (1808) VIII. 245 From her aiming through commerce at naval force which she never could attain.
1888 Fortn. Rev. Nov. 564 A navy actually inferior in fighting force to that of France.
b. In early use, the strength (of a fortress, defensive work, etc.). Subsequently, the fighting strength (of a ship), as measured by number of guns or men. †of (good) force: (well) armed or fortified.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defence > defensive work(s) > [noun] > strength of fortification
strengthc1480
force1577
impregnableness1610
impregnability1847
society > armed hostility > defence > defensive work(s) > [adjective]
stithc1000
strongOE
fastenedOE
warneda1300
strengtheda1382
unpregnable1387
embattledc1400
enbanedc1400
warrayable14..
impregnable1430
inexpugnable1490
strengthy1513
bulwarkeda1533
unexpugnable1533
fortified1538
well-fortified1538
unwinnablec1540
forced1548
forted1566
unbatterable1576
fencible?1579
unforcible1611
impregnate1632
untakable1652
of (good) force1697
casemated1740
well-girt1756
embattled1765
strongish1821
unbreachable1866
society > armed hostility > military equipment > arming or equipping with weapons > [adjective]
weaponedc1000
armedc1300
well-armedc1300
well-weaponeda1325
armed to the teethc1380
well-steeledc1390
warlikec1420
anarm1426
boden1429
well-harnesseda1450
geared1488
well-geared1488
well-boden1496
warly1508
enarmedc1540
burled1616
undisarmed1649
of (good) force1697
tooled up1959
weaponized1973
society > armed hostility > military equipment > arming or equipping with weapons > [adverb]
in ferdc1330
in armsc1405
under arms1637
of (good) force1697
in their shoes1815
1577 W. Harrison Hist. Descr. Islande Brit. i. ix. f. 24/2, in R. Holinshed Chron. I At this Poulruan is a tower of force.
1578 T. Nicholas tr. F. Lopez de Gómara Pleasant Hist. Conquest W. India 102 The estate and force of the sayde Shippes.
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie i. vii. 7 The foundation, force, and situation of the citie of Alger.
1615 G. Sandys Relation of Journey 210 The wals neither faire nor of force.
1669 J. Narborough Jrnl. in Acct. Several Late Voy. (1711) i. 7 The Castle..hath but four Guns, and is of no force.
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World iii. 46 Sending from Holland Ships of good force.
1779 in L'pool Munic. Rec. (1886) II. 183 Several ships of force..are now on the coast.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Force..Also, the force of each ship stated agreeably to the old usage in the navy, according to the number of guns actually carried.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military power > [adverb]
with force1303
in forcec1315
stronglyc1400
in great force1793
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 3366 Wyþ fors þey gun wyþ hym fyghte.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (1839) xxvii. 279 Thei assembled hem with force, and assayleden his Castelle.
a1500 (?a1400) Sir Torrent of Portyngale (1887) l. 2109 [He] sent letters on euery side, With fforce theder to hye.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. cvj The Englishemen, whiche with greate force, theim receiued and manfully defended.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV f. cxcj Suche Castles..as his enemies there held, and with force defended.
1884 Graphic 21 June 595/2 The numerous private members..came down with such force that a count out was plainly impossible.]
4. concrete.in extended use.1841 T. B. Macaulay in G. O. Trevelyan Life & Lett. Macaulay (1876) II. ix. 147 The force which will be arrayed against a Bill.† c. ? A fort. Obsolete. rare.
a. A body of armed men, an army. In plural the troops or soldiers composing the fighting strength of a kingdom or of a commander in the field; also in attributive use or in the possessive, esp. during the war of 1939–1945.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > armed forces > [noun]
mainOE
strength?a1160
armaturea1450
force1487
ranka1533
armed forces1572
troops1598
military1757
fyrd1832
the services1850
society > armed hostility > armed forces > the Army > [noun] > an army
ferd823
herec855
drightOE
drightfolkOE
ferdingc1000
gingOE
land-fyrd11..
hostc1290
powerc1300
preyc1300
chivalry1382
puissance1423
enarmec1430
exercite1485
force1487
armya1522
land-force1614
wall1657
ground force1929
society > armed hostility > armed forces > [noun] > British
force1942
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xix. 632 We may nocht with Iuperdis Our felloune fais fors assale.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry IV f. xiijv The duke..seyng the force of the townes men more & more encreace.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III v. v. 62 Looke on my forces with a gracious eie. View more context for this quotation
1611 Bible (King James) 1 Macc. xii. 42 When Tryphon saw that Ionathan came with so great a force . View more context for this quotation
1726 J. Swift Gulliver I. ii. vi. 110 The Valour and Atchievements of our Forces by Sea and Land.
1796 E. Burke Corr. (1844) IV. 422 A naval force is a very unsure defence.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 575 The only standing force should be the militia.
1851 W. H. Dixon W. Penn iv. 120 One of the leaders of the Parliamentary forces.
1874 W. Stubbs Constit. Hist. (1875) II. xiv. 14 A force of seven thousand men landed in Suffolk.
1942 New Statesman 3 Jan. I see that a new version of this feature is now to begin in the new year on the Forces Programme.
1943 E. Olivier Night Thoughts of Country Landlady iii. 25 The very inferior music often produced in the B.B.C. Forces' Programme.
1945 News Rev. 10 May If you're a Forces bride you will be given a travelling warrant for the whole journey from your British home to your new home in America.
1945 Manch. Guardian 18 July A statement in a ‘forces’ newspaper.
1952 W. Granville Dict. Theatr. Terms 80 The Forces' sweetheart. Vera Lynn, the British vaudeville and radio singer, was a great favourite with the troops in the second world war, hence the sobriquet.
1959 Times Lit. Suppl. 2 Oct. 556/4 The man and the girl,..whom we observe listening intently to Forces Favourites.
b. A body of police; the whole body of police on service in a town or district; often absol. the force = policemen collectively.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > law enforcement > police force or the police > [noun]
police1798
police force1820
constabulary1837
the force1851
John Law1903
button1921
fuzz1929
law1929
Babylon1943
monaych1961
filth1967
heat1967
Bill1969
Old Bill1970
beast1978
blues and twos1985
dibble1990
po-po1994
1851 H. Mayhew London Labour I. 16/1 One boy..vowed vengeance against a member of the force.
1861 M. E. Braddon Trail Serpent iv. vi. 226 I was nobody in the Gardenford force.
1875 P. G. Hamerton Intellect. Life (ed. 2) vii. vi. 259 She will protect your tranquility better than a force of policemen.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defence > defensive work(s) > fort or fortified town > [noun]
chestera855
boroughc893
fastnessOE
strength?c1225
warnestore1297
fortress13..
holdc1330
strongholdc1384
motec1390
fortalicec1425
garnisonc1430
garrisonc1430
town of war1441
wall-town1488
strengh1489
afforciament1509
piece1525
forcea1552
citadel1567
fort1569
place1575
holt1600
alcazar1623
fasthold1623
afforcement1642
castle-town1646
post1648
garrison-town1649
bridlea1661
palank1685
place of arms1704
ostrog1761
qila1761
presidio1763
gurry1786
thana1803
pa1823
castrum1836
lis1845
Gibraltar1856
training post1867
kasbah1902
jong1904
a1552 J. Leland Itinerary (1711) III. 15 About a Myle by West of Penare is a Force nere the shore.
d. U.S. (See quots.)
ΚΠ
1807 C. W. Janson Stranger in Amer. 309 Force, is here employed when speaking of the number of slaves employed in field labour on each plantation.
1834 W. G. Simms Guy Rivers II. viii. 97 The force of the traveller—for such is the term by which the number of his slaves is understood—was small.
1837 H. Martineau Society in Amer. I. ii. 344 All the ‘force’ that could be collected on a hasty summons,—that is, almost every able-bodied man in the city and neighbourhood, was sent out with axes to build us a bridge.
1871 M. Schele de Vere Americanisms (1872) 475 Force is a common name for a gang of laborers, whether they are Irishmen at work on a railway, or negroes employed on a plantation.
1899 Monthly S. Dakotan 1 138 A high wind..showered down hundreds of bushels of apples, [and] one is confronted by the alternative of sending for the ‘force’ to pick them up on Sunday or letting the sun scald and ruin them.
5. † d. In non-material sense: Constraint or compulsion exerted upon a person. Also, a force, as to put a force upon: to put compulsion or constraint upon, to constrain; to strain or wrest the meaning of. to be upon the force: ? to act under self-constraint and against one's natural impulses. under a force: under compulsion. Obsolete.
a. Physical strength or power exerted upon an object; esp. the use of physical strength to constrain the action of persons; violence or physical coercion. †to make force: to use violence to.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > violent behaviour > behave violently or use force [verb (intransitive)]
to do outragec1325
to make forcea1340
deray1340
outrayc1390
to make strengtha1393
tar and tig?a1500
bull1884
strong-arm1906
to kick ass1977
to get medieval1994
the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > [noun] > physical effort or force > exerted on an object
forcea1340
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > violent behaviour > [noun] > violent treatment or force
strong handOE
strengthOE
strenghc1300
violencec1300
mightc1325
stuntisea1327
forcea1340
enforcing138.
forcinga1382
forcenessc1400
violation?c1500
efforce1549
enforcement1577
Stafford law1589
vexation1605
club-law1612
aspertee1660
physical force1716
strong arm1836
savaging1858
muscle1879
strong-arming1906
society > authority > subjection > obedience > compulsion > [noun] > physical coercion
forcea1340
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter Comm. Cant. 497 Lord .i. suffire force [L. vim patior].
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Gen. xix. 9 And foors thei maden [L. vim faciebant] to Loth moost hidowsly.
1413 Pilgr. Sowle (1483) iv. xii. 63 Force is nouther ryght ne reson.
1582 N. Lichefield tr. F. L. de Castanheda 1st Bk. Hist. Discouerie E. Indias ii. 7 b Deeming..that those blacke men meant him no harme, nor would offer anye force.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost i. 647 To work in close design, by fraud or guile What force effected not. View more context for this quotation
1687 R. Boyle Martyrdom Theodora (1703) i. 6 Such cruel methods being apt to make the world suspect that our best argument is force.
1789 J. Bentham Introd. Princ. Morals & Legisl. xiii. §2 Force can accomplish many things which would be beyond the reach of cunning.
1840 H. Rogers Introd. Burke's Wks. 82 Nothing will justify force while any other means remain untried.
1889 A. Lang Prince Prigio ii. 10 The prince, after having his ears boxed, said that ‘force was no argument’.
b. esp. in by force = by employing violence, by violent means, also †under compulsion. †Formerly also through, with, of force; also, par force, by perforce, force perforce (see perforce v.). Also, †by fine force or with fine force, a-force fine: see by (also with, by) fine force at fine adj. 1b. Often implying the use of armed force or strength of numbers: cf. 3c.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > violent behaviour > [phrase] > by violence or force
strong handOE
by forcec1320
through, with, of forcec1320
by or with strifec1330
by way of feat1362
by (also with, by) fine forcea1375
by mighta1425
by force and armsa1481
by way of deed1535
by (the) head and shoulders1571
by (the) head and ears1590
sting and ling1816
c1320 Seuyn Sag. (W.) 488 Par force he hadde me forht i nome.
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 972 Þanne þay asayllede Scot Gwylmer & toke him a-force fyne.
1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope ii. xi The thynge which is promysed by force & for drede is not to be hold.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xii. 524 Mony worthy men and wicht, Throu fors, wes fellit in that ficht.
1594 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 i. i. 210 Which Warwicke by maine force did win.
1611 Bible (King James) John vi. 15 When Iesus therefore perceiued that they would come and take him by force, to make him a King. View more context for this quotation
1701 D. Defoe True-born Englishman ii. 40 The Bad with Force they eagerly subdue.
1754 D. Hume Hist. Eng. (1812) I. iii. 163 One of his train..attempted to make his way by force.
1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) V. 241 The common people..can only be made to sing and step in rhythm by sheer force.
c. spec. in Law: Unlawful violence offered to persons or things. by force and arms: translation of Law Latin vi et armis. a force: a particular act or instance of unlawful violence.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > violent behaviour > [phrase] > by violence or force
strong handOE
by forcec1320
through, with, of forcec1320
by or with strifec1330
by way of feat1362
by (also with, by) fine forcea1375
by mighta1425
by force and armsa1481
by way of deed1535
by (the) head and shoulders1571
by (the) head and ears1590
sting and ling1816
society > law > rule of law > lawlessness > specific offences > [noun] > unlawful violence
mayhem1447
forcea1481
mutilation1517
actual bodily harm1837
grievous bodily harm1861
ABH1975
society > law > rule of law > lawlessness > specific offences > [phrase] > with violence
by force and armsa1481
vi et armis1618
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > violent behaviour > [noun] > violent treatment or force > specifically in law
forcea1481
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > violent behaviour > [noun] > violent treatment or force > act or instance of
outragec1300
violencea1393
forcea1481
stratagem1581
violency1632
savaging1858
society > law > rule of law > lawlessness > specific offences > [noun] > unlawful violence > instance of
a force1594
a1481 T. Littleton Tenures (1482) ii. sig. cviii Le tenaunt..luy forstalla le voye ouesque force en armes.]
a1481 T. Littleton Tenures (1482) ii. sig. ciiiv Il defendera forsque tort & force [1528–30 transl. he..shall defende but the wronge and the force].
1594 W. West Symbolæogr.: 2nd Pt. §65 Force is either simple or mixt.
1618 M. Dalton Countrey Justice 196 Also women, and children, may commit a force.
1628 E. Coke 1st Pt. Inst. Lawes Eng. §240. 161 b Force, vis, in the Common Law is most commonly taken in ill part, and taken for unlawful violence.
1768 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. III. viii. 119 This distinction of private wrongs, into injuries with and without force.
1818 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. (ed. 2) I. 102 Where a person is prevented from barring an estate tail by force and management.
1826 Act 7 Geo. IV c. 64 §20 That no Judgment..shall be stayed or reversed..for the Omission..of the Words ‘with Force and Arms’.
1842 Ld. Tennyson Edwin Morris 131 It seems I broke a close with force and arms.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > obedience > compulsion > [noun]
needeOE
distressc1384
force1387
stressc1390
artingc1400
coactionc1400
constrainauncec1400
compulsion1462
enforcement1477
coercion1495
forcement1524
enforcing1531
strain1532
constraint1533
coercement1592
constrainment1593
duress1596
compulse1616
obligement1641
cogency1702
coercive control1827
steamrolling1879
compression1880
society > authority > subjection > obedience > compulsion > under compulsion [phrase]
on compulsion1598
under task1671
under a force1681
with a pistol at (also to) one's head1892
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > misinterpretation > distortion or perversion of meaning > pervert or distort [verb (transitive)]
crooka1340
deprave1382
pervertc1390
strainc1449
drawc1450
miswrest?a1475
bewrya1522
wry?1521
to make a Welshman's hose ofa1529
writhea1533
wrest1533
invert1534
wring?1541
depravate1548
rack1548
violent1549
wrench1549
train1551
wreathe1556
throw1558
detorta1575
shuffle1589
wriggle1593
distortc1595
to put, set, place, etc. on the rack1599
twine1600
wire-draw1610
monstrify1617
screw1628
corrupt1630
gloss1638
torture1648
force1662
vex1678
refract1700
warp1717
to put a force upon1729
twist1821
ply1988
society > authority > subjection > obedience > compulsion > compel [verb (intransitive)] > act under compulsion
to be upon the force1774
1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Rolls) VII. 141 Godwyne..swore þat he didde nevere suche þinges, bot constreyned by þe force of kyng Harold.
1576 A. Fleming tr. C. Plinius Novocomensis in Panoplie Epist. 261 The monie which you sent us, uppon the force of our commaundement.
1662 A. Mervyn Speech to Duke of Ormond 4 We come not to criminate, or to force a ball into the Dedan, but if any brick-wall expressions happen, that cannot be designed otherwise, it is rather a force upon us.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ix. 1173 Beyond this had bin force, And force upon free Will hath here no place. View more context for this quotation
1681 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Reformation: 2nd Pt. 252 In many places..Men were chosen by Force and Threats..upon which reasons he concludes that it was no Parliament, since it was under a Force.
1690 Wolsely in London Gaz. No. 2536/2 It was a very unfortunate Force, which the Soldiers..put upon me, to burn the Town.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 108 Nor cou'd his Kindred; nor the kindly Force Of weeping Parents, change his fatal Course. View more context for this quotation
1707 J. Norris Pract. Treat. Humility v. 203 A Man can't be always upon the force, the Actor will sometimes tire.
1729 Bp. J. Butler Serm. xiii, in Wks. (1874) II. 173 They may all be understood to be implied in these words of our Saviour, without putting any force upon them.
1774 J. Bryant New Syst. (new ed.) I. 136 The whole is effected with a great strain and force upon history.
1805 H. K. White Let. 19 Dec. in Remains (1807) I. 196 I have very little society, and that is quite a force upon my friends.
6. Mental or moral strength. Now only (influenced by sense 2), power of vigorous and effective action, or of overcoming resistance. In early use also, power of endurance or resistance, fortitude.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > [noun] > strong or powerful
craftOE
strengthOE
powerc1300
forcec1340
foisona1400
ability?1473
potence1483
potencya1500
valency1623
potentiality1627
potentialness1668
muscularity1871
firepower1945
the mind > emotion > courage > moral courage > [noun]
forcec1340
fortitude?a1513
starknessa1513
moral courage1808
moral1883
c1340 R. Rolle Prose Treat. 10 Þey erre with-owtten charyte and vertue and force of sawle to stand agayne all ill styrrynges.
1502 tr. Ordynarye of Crysten Men (de Worde) ii. viii. sig. l.i Force is an other vertue by the whiche a man undertaketh to do or suffre for the loue of god these thynges stronge & harde.
1534 R. Whittington tr. Cicero Thre Bks. Tullyes Offyces i. sig. A.4 He can not be acompted a man of force that iudgeth payne and grefe to be moste mysery.
1576 A. Fleming tr. Sulpicius in Panoplie Epist. 26 Bend the powers of your spirite, and the force of your minde, that, [etc.].
1679 W. Penn Addr. Protestants (1692) ii. iv. 124 What before we were Unable, this gives us Force to do.
1711 J. Dennis Refl. Ess. Crit. 1 He..hath rashly undertaken a Task which is infinitely above his Force.
1871 R. H. Hutton Ess. II. 322 Real men of any force have a free sphere of their own.
1876 G. O. Trevelyan Life & Lett. Macaulay I. i. 9 There was another Son who in force of character stood out among his brothers.
7.
a. Of things (in non-material or moral relations): Power to influence, affect, or control (esp. men in their actions, sentiments, etc.). to have force (to do): to avail.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > power > influence > [noun]
powerc1300
authorityc1405
voice1433
swaya1510
gravity1534
force1582
bias1587
interest1600
prevalence1612
prevailance1631
pondus1638
prevailancya1649
prevailency1650
influence1652
prevalency1652
weight1710
prevailingness1757
holding1770
mojo1923
clout1958
muscle1965
the world > action or operation > advantage > efficacy > be efficacious [verb (intransitive)]
workOE
availa1400
makea1400
prevaila1400
to hit the nail upon (or on) the headc1450
effect1592
serve1593
to tickle it1601
take1611
executea1627
to have force (to do)1713
answer1721
to take place1789
to do the trick1819
to hit (also go to, touch, etc.) the spot1836
produce1881
to press (also push) the button1890
to come through1906
to turn the trick1933
to make a (also the) point1991
1582 Lyly in T. Watson's Centurie of Loue (Arb.) 29 Mine appetite of lesse force then mine affection.
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning i. sig. C2v It [sc. learning] teacheth men the force of Circumstances. View more context for this quotation
1713 J. Addison Cato iv. ii Let not her cries or tears have force to move you.
1751 J. Jortin Serm. (1771) IV. vi. 117 Such prejudices arise from the prevailing force of education.
1816 M. Keating Trav. (1817) I. 276 The force of habit is certainly very strong, and prejudices the mind throughout.
1823 C. Lamb Old Benchers in Elia 197 S. was thought..a fit person to be consulted..from force of manner entirely.
1845 B. Disraeli Sybil III. vi. iii. 175 I never heard that moral force won the battle of Waterloo.
1890 F. W. Robinson Very Strange Family 2 The force of circumstances had thrust me upon him.
b. Peculiar power resident in a thing to produce special effects; virtue, efficacy.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > efficacy > [noun] > power or virtue of something
gracec1300
virtuea1398
faculty1490
force1600
quality1647
magnes1649
efforta1680
1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream ii. ii. 75 On whose eyes I might approue This flowers force in stirring loue. View more context for this quotation
1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd i. 347 Think'st thou such force in Bread? View more context for this quotation
1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 34. ⁋4 Beauty loses its force, if not accompanied with modesty.
c. esp. Power to convince or persuade the reason or judgement; convincing or appealing power. Often in of (great, etc.) force; †formerly also of force simply.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > belief, trust, confidence > act of convincing, conviction > [noun] > power to convince
faitha1393
force1551
coercion1768
1551 T. Wilson Rule of Reason sig. Iiiij This [argument] that foloweth, is of as good force.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) iii. i. 161 Those occasions, Vnckle, were of force . View more context for this quotation
1685 R. Baxter Paraphr. New Test. Matt. xvi. 28 Nor is Dr. H. his reason against it..of any force.
1729 Bp. J. Butler 15 Serm. (ed. 2) Pref. p. xiii The Force of this Conviction is felt by almost every one.
1748 J. Mason Ess. Elocution 31 You can never convey the Force and Fulness of his Ideas to another till you feel them yourself.
1818 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. (ed. 2) II. 514 The argument of long enjoyment was of no force.
1849 G. Grote Hist. Greece VI. ii. l. 308 In both these two reasons there is force.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 23 They harangued..with some force on the great superiority of a regular army to a militia.
d. Of discourse, style, artistic creations, etc.: Strength or vividness of effect.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > vigour or force > [noun]
eloquence1382
elocution1509
gravity?1520
pith?1531
vigour1532
emphasy1548
energy?1549
emphasisa1555
pithiness1557
abruptness1591
emphaticalness1647
nervousness1727
cogency1750
forcibility1771
cogence1782
verve1803
forcefulness1825
force1842
snap1870
full-bloodedness1894
punch1901
compulsiveness1918
punchiness1938
1842 H. Rogers Introd. Burke's Wks. 85 The passage already quoted..is full of force and splendour.
1863 C. C. Clarke Shakespeare-characters vi. 152 Slender comes out in this play with extraordinary force.
1879 Cassell's Techn. Educator (new ed.) IV. 24/1 The introduction of a considerable amount of black..gives great force to the pattern.
e. Australian and New Zealand. (See quots.)
ΚΠ
1933 Press (Christchurch, N.Z.) 21 Oct. 15/7 Force, the power of dogs to move sheep... Huntaways are sometimes spoken of as forcing dogs; but the term f[orce] is also applied to the ability of a heading dog to pull sheep.
1959 S. J. Baker Drum (1960) 110 Force, the ability of a sheepdog to control a mob of sheep, esp. without legging, i.e., leg-biting. A good dog is said to have a lot of force.
8. † b. of force: of binding power, valid. Obsolete.
a. Of a law, etc.: Binding power, validity.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > rule of law > [noun] > validity or legal force
strengthOE
vigour1425
validity?1553
force1593
universality1599
1593 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie i. x. 74 Hath not his edict the force of a law?
1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Henry VIII i. ii. 102 Free pardon to each man that has deny'de The force of this Commission. View more context for this quotation
1786 E. Burke Articles of Charge against W. Hastings in Wks. (1842) II. 177 A country..in which the native authority had no force whatever.
1863 H. Cox Inst. Eng. Govt. i. v. 25 Proclamations which..should have the force of statutes.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > rule of law > according to the law [phrase] > of legal validity
of force1451
1451 in R. Arnold Chron. (c1503) f. lxviijv/2 That alle Lettres patentis or grauntis by you..be voyde and of noo fors.
1611 Bible (King James) Heb. ix. 17 For a Testament is of force after men are dead. View more context for this quotation
1679 W. Penn Addr. Protestants (1692) ii. v. 163 Whatsoever they shall decree, ought to be of Force.
c. in force: operative or binding at the time. Also, in full force, †in his force. So to put in force, to enforce; to come into force (also †to take force), to come into operation, take effect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > begin action or activity [verb (intransitive)] > become active or come into operation
to take steadc1175
commencec1380
to take effect1385
to come into force (also to take force)1491
to come into (also in) play1568
inure1589
enure1607
to break out1862
to make with ——1940
bite1976
society > authority > command > command or bidding > [adjective] > of command, etc.: operative or binding
unrevoked1419
unreverseda1425
in his force1491
unrecalled1597
in force1603
society > law > law enforcement > enforce [verb (transitive)]
follow1425
force1580
enforcea1616
to put in force1856
1491 Act 7 Hen. VII c. 10 The foreseid statute..shuld be in his force and virtue fro thens perpetuelly to endure.
1553 T. Wilson Arte Rhetorique (1580) 159 By an order realmes stande, and Lawes take force.
1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 100 Without respect vnto the league yet in force.
1611 Bible (King James) 2 Esdras ix. 37 Notwithstanding the law perisheth not, but ramaineth in his force . View more context for this quotation
1724 Act in London Gaz. No. 6270/7 The Officer..is..to limit the Time..for such Permit..to continue in Force.
1797 T. Holcroft tr. F. Galiani in tr. F. L. Stolberg Trav. II. lxxxviii. 260 In the south, however, this ancient custom still remains in full force.
1856 C. Knight Pop. Hist. Eng. I. xvii. 234 He engaged to put in force the laws of Edward the Confessor.
1891 Matthews in Law Times 92 96/1 The..Act..came into force immediately on its passing.
9. The real import or significance (of a document, statement, or the like); the precise meaning or ‘value’ (of a word, sentence, etc.) as affecting its context or interpretation; the power or value of a symbol or character.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > meaning of linguistic unit > drift, tenor, purport > [noun]
sentence?c1225
intent1303
tenora1387
intendment1390
strengthc1390
porta1393
meaningc1395
process1395
continencea1398
purposec1400
substance1415
purport1422
matterc1450
storyc1450
containing1477
contenu1477
retinue1484
fecka1500
content1513
drift1526
intention1532
vein1543
importing1548
scope1549
importance1552
course1553
force1555
sense?1556
file1560
intelliment?1562
proporta1578
preport1583
import1588
importment1602
carriage1604
morala1616
significancy1641
amount1678
purview1688
sentiment1713
capacity1720
spirit1742
message1828
thrust1968
messaging1977
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > meaning of linguistic unit > [noun]
to owe a wolda1325
meaninga1387
significationa1398
understanding1433
pretensionc1443
intellect?a1475
tendment1519
sense1530
reciprocation1604
sensing1613
denotation1614
apprehension1615
explicitness1630
sounda1631
notion1646
bodementa1657
means1656
force1709
notation1829
connotation1865
content1875
territory1875
the mind > language > linguistics > study of speech sound > speech sound > [noun] > phonetic or phonemic value
force1732
potestas1949
1555 E. Bonner Profitable & Necessarye Doctryne M iij Thyrde is to be considered, the vertue, force, and effecte of the sayd Sacrament.
1690 J. Locke Two Treat. Govt. i. v. §44 We will..consider the Force of the Text in hand.
1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 58. ⁋2 The Examination of the Force of the Particle For.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. (at cited word) In our Language, the s between two Vowels has the Force of a z... In Hebrew, the Dagesch; and in Arabic, the Tesdid, have the Force of a Letter suppress'd. A Figure before a Cypher has the Force of ten.
1732 G. Berkeley Alciphron II. vii. v. 135 I comprehend the Force and Meaning of this Proposition.
1759 E. Burke Philos. Enq. Sublime & Beautiful (ed. 2) iii. §2. 164 Several who make use of that word [proportion], do not always seem to understand very clearly the force of the term.
1767 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. (new ed.) II. 353 We are next to consider the force and effect of a fine.
10. † a. (Without article prefixed): A large quantity or number, plenty; const. of, which is omitted in quot. a1400 (cf. French force gens and the like). most force: the greater part (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > [noun] > (a) great quantity or amount
felec825
muchc1230
good wone1297
plentyc1300
bushelc1374
sight1390
mickle-whata1393
forcea1400
manynessa1400
multitudea1400
packc1400
a good dealc1430
greata1450
sackful1484
power1489
horseloadc1500
mile1508
lump1523
a deal?1532
peckc1535
heapa1547
mass1566
mass1569
gallon1575
armful1579
cart-load1587
mickle1599
bushelful1600–12
a load1609
wreck1612
parisha1616
herd1618
fair share1650
heapa1661
muchness1674
reams1681
hantle1693
mort1694
doll?1719
lift1755
acre1759
beaucoup1760
ton1770
boxload1795
boatload1807
lot1811
dollop1819
swag1819
faggald1824
screed1826
Niagara1828
wad1828
lashings1829
butt1831
slew1839
ocean1840
any amount (of)1848
rake1851
slather1857
horde1860
torrent1864
sheaf1865
oodlesa1867
dead load1869
scad1869
stack1870
jorum1872
a heap sight1874
firlot1883
oodlings1886
chunka1889
whips1888
God's quantity1895
streetful1901
bag1917
fid1920
fleetful1923
mob1927
bucketload1930
pisspot1944
shitload1954
megaton1957
mob-o-ton1975
gazillion1978
buttload1988
shit ton1991
the world > relative properties > number > plurality > great number, numerousness > [noun] > greater number, majority
moeOE
unfewc1175
most?a1400
most forcea1400
substancea1413
overmatch1542
flush1592
the (great, vast) mass of1604
the millions1604
stream1614
numbers1638
the multiplicity of1639
majority1650
the world > relative properties > wholeness > incompleteness > part of whole > [noun] > a great part or proportion > the greater part, the majority
the more partOE
the best part ofOE
(the) more parta1350
(the) most parta1350
(the) most part alla1350
(the) most party1372
for (also be, in) the most part (also deal, party)a1387
the better part ofa1393
the mo?a1400
most forcea1400
substancea1413
corsec1420
generalty?c1430
the greater partc1430
three quartersc1470
generalityc1485
the most feck1488
corpse1533
most1553
nine-tenths?1556
better half1566
generality?1570
pluralityc1570
body1574
the great body (of)1588
flush1592
three fourths1600
best1601
heap1609
gross1625
lump1709
bulk1711
majority1714
nineteen in twenty1730
balance1747
sweighta1800
heft1816
chief1841
the force1842
thick end1847
a1400 Coer de L. 1383 Two hundred schyppys ben wel vytailid With force hawberks, swerdes and knyvys.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) viii. 11 The men mast fors com till his pes.
a1500 Liber Pluscardensis (Marchm.) (1877) I. 397 Of thi detturis maist force ar lukkin in clay.
?a1600 ( R. Sempill Legend Bischop St. Androis in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xlv. 385 The vther having force of freindis.
b. a force: a large number or quantity, a great deal. the force: ? the majority. Obsolete exc. dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > incompleteness > part of whole > [noun] > a great part or proportion > the greater part, the majority
the more partOE
the best part ofOE
(the) more parta1350
(the) most parta1350
(the) most part alla1350
(the) most party1372
for (also be, in) the most part (also deal, party)a1387
the better part ofa1393
the mo?a1400
most forcea1400
substancea1413
corsec1420
generalty?c1430
the greater partc1430
three quartersc1470
generalityc1485
the most feck1488
corpse1533
most1553
nine-tenths?1556
better half1566
generality?1570
pluralityc1570
body1574
the great body (of)1588
flush1592
three fourths1600
best1601
heap1609
gross1625
lump1709
bulk1711
majority1714
nineteen in twenty1730
balance1747
sweighta1800
heft1816
chief1841
the force1842
thick end1847
1723 D. Defoe Hist. Col. Jack (ed. 2) 301 Her Maid with a force of crying..said her Master was dead.
1842 C. Sumner Let. 16 Sept. in S. Longfellow Life of H. W. Longfellow (1886) I. 414 The force of my acquaintance was among lawyers, judges, and politicians.
1876 F. K. Robinson Gloss. Words Whitby ‘There was a foorce o' folks’, great numbers were present.
11. Physics, etc. Used in various senses developed from the older popular uses, and corresponding to modern scientific uses of Latin vis.
a. (=Newton's vis impressa: cf. sense 5). An influence (measurable with regard to its intensity and determinable with regard to its direction) operating on a body so as to produce an alteration or tendency to alteration of its state of rest or of uniform motion in a straight line; the intensity of such an influence as a measurable quantity.Recent physicists mostly retain the word merely as the name for a measure of change of motion, not as denoting anything objectively existing as a cause.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > mechanics > force > [noun]
force1665
F1687
power1696
1665 T. Salusbury tr. Galileo Mech. in Math. Coll. & Transl. II. 294 It willbe..better, the Force that moveth the Weight upwards perpendicularly,..being given, to seek the Force that moveth it along the Elevated Plane.
1686 I. Newton Let. 20 June in Corr. (1960) II. 436 In one of my papers writ (..above fifteen years ago) the proportion of ye forces of ye Planets from ye Sun reciprocally duplicate to their distances from him is exprest.
1803 J. Wood Princ. Mech. (ed. 3) i. 15 Whatever changes, or tends to change, the state of rest or uniform rectilinear motion of a body, is called force.
1866 Duke of Argyll Reign of Law ii. 72 All the particles of matter exert an attractive force upon each other.
1871 B. Stewart Heat (ed. 2) §21 The force of gravity..is somewhat greater in London than at Paris.
1876 P. G. Tait Lect. Recent Adv. in Physical Sci. (ed. 2) xiv. 352 Unit force is..that force which, whatever be its source, produces unit momentum in unit of time.
b. (cf. sense 2). Formerly used for what Leibniz called vis viva, now known as kinetic energy, and often extended to include potential energy: see energy n. 6 conservation of force: see conservation n. 3.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > mechanics > dynamics > [noun] > kinetics > operative force of moving body
living force1728
vis viva1780
force1841
1841 Penny Cycl. XXI. 307/1 The high tide at Chepstow is accounted for on ‘the principle of the conservation of force’.
1870 W. S. Jevons Elem. Lessons Logic xxiv. 209 Force cannot be created or destroyed by any of the processes of nature.
c. The cause of any one of the classes of physical phenomena, e.g. of motion, heat, electricity, etc., conceived as consisting in principle or power inherent in, or coexisting with, matter; such principles or powers regarded generically.According to the now prevailing view that all physical changes are modes of motion, force in its generic sense comes to denote the one principle of which the separate forces are specific forms. But sense 11c is no longer recognized as belonging to the technical language of physics.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > [noun] > specific concepts or principles of > principle or power causing physical phenomena
force1846
1732 G. Berkeley Alciphron II. vii. ix. 146 Force is that in Bodies which produceth Motion and other sensible Effects.]
1846 W. R. Grove On Correlation Physical Forces 8 I therefore use the term Force..as meaning that active principle inseparable from matter, which induces its various changes.
1846 W. R. Grove On Correlation Physical Forces 21 If Heat be a force capable of producing motion, and motion be capable of producing the other modes of force.
1851 W. B. Carpenter Man. Physiol. (ed. 2) 10 A large number of phenomena..resulting from the agency of forces as distinct from those of Physics and Chemistry, as they are from each other..the forces from whose operation we assume them to result, are termed vital forces.
d. transferred and figurative. An agency, influence, or source of power likened to a physical force.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > power > influence > [noun] > one who or that which influences
planetc1500
influenciary1659
influencer1664
influence1736
force1785
field of force1876
spiritus rector1876
1785 C. Wilkins tr. Bhăgvăt-Gēētā iii. 49 He was impelled by some secret force.
1868 J. T. Nettleship Ess. Browning's Poetry i. 18 The passion..whose existence as a force in the world..he recognises.
1891 Law Times 90 443/1 The Nisi Prius advocate who has a fair knowledge of law is still a great force in the Profession.
II. Senses derived from force v.1† 12. The plunger of a force-pump. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > pump > [noun] > plunger or piston
box1531
pump shoe1534
shoe1576
force1596
pestle1604
bucket1634
forcer1634
plug1642
syringe1659
ram1875
1596 J. Harington Anat. Metamorph. Aiax sig. Liiij You may with a force of twentie shillings, and a pype of eighteen pence the yard, force it from the lowest part of your house to the highest.
1659 J. Leak tr. I. de Caus New Inventions Water-works 34 This manner of force-Pump..the forces do Rise and Fall Perpendicularly in their Barrels.
1747 W. Hooson Miners Dict. sig. I2 Force, a kind of Pump often used in the Mines, that throws the Water a good height..'tis now worn out of Use.
13. The upper die in a metal-stamping machine.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > metalworking equipment > [noun] > stamping machine or press > parts of
stamp-hammer1837
stamping hammer1845
dog1874
force1879
stamp-bed1879
1879 Cassell's Techn. Educator (new ed.) IV. 263/2 The final strokes are given by a ‘force’ cast in brass.
1886 Jrnl. Franklin Inst. 122 327 The upper die was the cameo, technically the male die, punch or ‘force’.
14. Cards. An act of forcing.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > [noun] > actions or tactics > specific
discarding1592
facing1635
pull1715
lead1742
return1742
discard1778
solo1814
underplay1850
convention1862
force1862
showdown1870
unblocking1885
false-carding1923
passed hand1924
exit1934
reverse1936
loser-on-loser1947
1862 ‘Cavendish’ Princ. Whist (1879) 111 You may assume that he is strong in trumps, and you should take the force willingly.
1886 Academy 10 Apr. 251/2 The young player will naturally be startled by the instruction to lead trumps to an adversary who has just refused a force.
15.
a. Billiards. A kind of stroke (see quot. 1881); a ‘screw-back’. U.S.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > billiards, pool, or snooker > [noun] > actions or types of play > type of stroke
hazard1674
carambole1775
carom1779
cannon1802
screw1825
sidestroke1834
following stroke1837
cannonade1844
five-stroke1847
follow1850
scratch1850
fluke1857
jenny1857
bank shot1859
angle shot1860
draw shot1860
six-stroke1861
run-through1862
spot1868
quill1869
dead-stroke1873
loser1873
push1873
push stroke1873
stab1873
stab screw1873
draw1881
force1881
plant1884
anchor cannon1893
massé1901
angle1902
cradle-cannon1907
pot1907
jump shot1909
carry-along1913
snooker1924
1881 H. W. Collender Mod. Billiards 23 Draw, or Force.—Striking the cue ball one-half or more below its centre, causing it, if played full at the object-ball, to recoil or return toward the player.
b. Real Tennis. (See quot. 18902.)
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > racket games > real tennis > [noun] > types of play or stroke
chasec1440
loss1591
volley1596
bandy1598
back-racket1608
service1611
force1662
serve1688
serving1688
Renshaw smash1881
pass1888
railroad service1890
kicker1936
1662 [see sense 5d].
1890 J. M. Heathcote et al. Tennis (Badminton Libr. of Sports & Pastimes) 50 The Force is the usual resource of a player who must try to win at very ‘close chase’, or who returns a ball which comes ‘fair-off’ from the end-wall.
1890 J. M. Heathcote et al. 124 Force, a stroke played, either direct or boasted, for the dedans with some strength.
1927 Daily Tel. 26 Apr. 17/1 Some admirable tennis was seen, with good returns, short chases, and accurate forces.
1955 Times 2 May 4/1 Dear went all out for winning openings, making a severe attack on the dedans—he scored with 11 forces during the two sets.
III. Phrases (see also senses 1 – 10).† 18. of force: with infinitive, strong or powerful enough, able to do something. Cf. 1b, 3b, 7c, 8b.† 19. † b. it is (of) force: it is necessary or inevitable. Const. that.., or (for a person) to do. Obsolete.† 20. † b. Const. of or for (a thing) = it does not matter about, no need to care for. Obsolete.† 21. to make (do, give, take, have, let, kythe, set) force: to make account (of), attach importance (to), give heed (to), care (for). Const. of (rarely for, at, by, in); also with infinitive or subordinate clause, and absol. Obsolete.† 22. † b. to make force at, to, upon: to rush violently at, attack, assail. Obsolete.
16. by force of: by dint of, by virtue of; by means of. Also (later), by the force of. [ < French à force de.]
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > instrumentality > by the instrumentality of [phrase]
in virtue ofa1250
by (also with) strength of1340
by the virtue ofa1375
by way ofa1393
by (also through) (the) means (also mean) ofa1398
by remedy ofa1398
by force of1411
by feat of1489
by (occasionally through) the benefit ofa1538
in the way of1622
by the way of1623
by (the) dint of1664
by the force of1697
perforce of1714
society > armed hostility > [adverb] > by force of arms
with spear and shielda1300
by dint of sworda1330
by force of1611
1411 Rolls of Parl. III. 650/2 The forsaid Archebisshop, and Chamberleyn..by force of the submission that the said Robert in hem hath maad, haven ordeyned.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin ii. 27 Thei can knowe many thinges be force of clergie that we can no skyle on.
1512 Act 4 Hen. VIII c. 10 Fynes..levyed..by reason or force of the same Indentures.
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie i. ii. 2 The ankers being weied, by force of oares [Fr. à force de rames] we went to the yle of If.
1611 Bible (King James) 2 Macc. x. 24 Timotheus..came as though hee would take Iewrie by force of armes. View more context for this quotation
1633 G. Herbert Priesthood in Temple iii By cunning hand And force of fire, what curious things are made.
1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre iv. xii. 188 Two hundred and fourty Gentlemen of note died by force of the infection.
1697 Countess D'Aunoy's Trav. (1706) 32 Don Lewis was no sooner come to himself, by the force of Remidies.
1757 E. Burke Philos. Enq. Sublime & Beautiful iii. §2. 74 It is not by the force of long attention and enquiry that we find any object to be beautiful.
1879 Daily Tel. 17 June Being by force of genius no less than by virtue of office at the head of the noble profession to which he belongs.
17. in force:
a. (see 8c).
b. Military. Of a host, enemy, etc.: (Collected) in great military strength and large numbers (cf. sense 3). Also, in great force. [ < French en force.]
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military power > [adverb]
with force1303
in forcec1315
stronglyc1400
in great force1793
c1315 Shoreham 156 Ryȝt develen for screawedhede Ever ine force scholle brede.
1793 E. Burke Remarks Policy Allies in Wks. (1823) VII. 119 When the army of some sovereign enters into the enemy's country in great force.
1810 C. James New Mil. Dict. (ed. 3) at Force As the enemy were in force behind the mountains.
1835 A. Alison Hist. Europe during French Revol. IV. xxx. 257 The Republicans were unable to drive back their opponents from the..heights, which they had occupied in force.
1885 Times (Weekly ed.) 23 Jan. 3/2 The enemy is reported to be in force at Metamneh.
c. of persons (usually in great force): In full command of one's powers, energies, or abilities; esp. Displaying readiness and vivacity in conversation or oratory (colloquial).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > loquacity or talkativeness > [adjective]
wordyeOE
talewisec1200
i-worded?c1225
babblinga1250
cacklinga1250
chatteringa1250
speakfula1250
word-wooda1250
of many wordsc1350
janglingc1374
tatteringc1380
tongueya1382
ganglinga1398
readya1400
jargaunt1412
talkative1432
open-moutheda1470
clattering1477
trattling?a1513
windy1513
popping1528
smatteringa1529
rattle?1529
communicablea1533
blab1552
gaggling1553
long-tongued?1553
prittle-prattle1556
pattering1558
talking1560
bobling1566
gabbling1566
verbal1572
piet1573
twattling1573
flibber gibber1575
babblative1576
tickle-tongued1577
tattling1581
buzzing1587
long-winded1589
multiloquous1591
discoursive1599
rattling1600
glib1602
flippant1605
talkful1605
nimble-tongued1608
tongue-ripe1610
fliperous1611
garrulous?1611
futile1612
overspeaking1612
feather-tongueda1618
tongue-free1617
long-breatheda1628
well-breathed1635
multiloquious1640
untongue-tied1640
unretentive1650
communicative1651
linguacious1651
glibbed1654
largiloquent1656
multiloquent1656
parlagea1657
loose-clacked1661
nimble-chop1662
twit-twat1665
over-talkativea1667
loquacious1667
loudmouth1668
conversable1673
gash1681
narrative1681
chappy1693
apposite1701
conversative1703
gabbit1710
lubricous1715
gabby?1719
ventose1721
taleful1726
chatty?1741
blethering1759
renable1781
fetch-fire1784
conversational1799
conversant1803
gashing1808
long-lunged1815
talky1815
multi-loquacious1819
prolegomenous1822
talky-talky1831
nimble-mouthed1836
slipper1842
speechful1842
gassy1843
in great force1849
yattering1859
babbly1860
irreticent1864
chattable1867
lubrical1867
chattery1869
loose-mouthed1872
chinny1883
tongue-wagging1885
yappy1909
big-mouthed1914
loose-lipped1919
ear-bashing1945
ear-bending1946
yackety-yacking1953
nattering1959
yacking1959
woofy1960
1849 R. G. A. Levinge Cromwell Doolan II. vi. 130 The young ladies..were in the greatest possible ‘force’, as Filagree termed it, and full of fun.
1851 T. Carlyle Life J. Sterling ii. vii. 212 Latterly Calvert was better..He was in force again.
1857 A. H. Elton Below Surface I. vi. 120 Sir Eliot Prichard, quite at his ease, and in high force.
1857 Ld. Houghton Let. 27 Aug. in T. W. Reid Life Ld. Houghton (1890) II. xii. 18 M. Guizot is in great force, and full of political and literary gossip.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > able, capable, or competent [phrase]
in powerc1325
of powerc1390
of force1597
to be in capacity1649
in estate1651
1597 J. Gerard Herball ii. 182 Lyons Turnep is of force to digest.
1613 J. Hayward Liues III. Normans 90 After his death, the inhabitants were of force to expell the strangers.
1632 R. Le Grys tr. Velleius Paterculus Romane Hist. Ep. Ded. sig. A 3v I did not beleeve there had beene any power..of force to make me [etc.].
1677 N. Cox Gentleman's Recreation (ed. 2) i. 95 Young Hares are neither of force nor capacity to use such subtleties.
a. of (or on) force: of necessity, on compulsion, whether one will or no, unavoidably, necessarily, perforce. (Cf. perforce v., †afforce v.) Also, of fine force (see fine adj. 1a), of very force. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > necessity > [adverb]
needeOE
of (also for, on) needeOE
needseOE
needlingc1225
needs cost?a1300
needlingsc1300
needlya1350
of necessityc1390
needfullya1398
necessarily?a1400
needgatesa1400
needingsa1400
needwaysa1400
needslyc1425
perforcec1425
needilyc1475
needwayc1480
of (or on) force?1507
need-forcea1525
requisitely1565
of very force1587
necessitously1637
necessitively1647
par force1819
imperatively1833
necessitatedly1864
of perforce1897
c1400 Rom. Rose 1796 In wele and wo Of force togidre they must go.
?1507 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 97 On forse I man his nyxt pray be.
1587 G. Turberville Tragicall Tales f. 66 There laye he close in wayte within the cops, whereas Full well he wist that Guardastan of very force must passe.
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning ii. sig. Ff1 Their inquiries must of force haue beene of a farre other kinde then they are. View more context for this quotation
a1641 T. Heywood & W. Rowley Fortune by Land & Sea ii, in Wks. (1874) VI. 381 Since you must hire one on force, as good him as another.
1703 N. Rowe Ulysses iv. i. 1477 You must of Force delay it.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > necessity > must of necessity [verb (intransitive)] > must inevitably > be an inevitable consequence
willa1387
it is (of) force1483
1483 W. Caxton tr. Caton F iv It was force that he shold retourne into the worlde.
1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) II. 566 For euirilk falt quhilk force is to fulfill.
1563 N. Winȝet Certain Tractates (1888) I. 60 Gif we sal begin to mixt noueltie with antiquitie..force it is that this maner spring vp vniuersalie.
c1565 R. Lindsay Hist. & Cron. Scotl. 104 It was force for the said Sir Patrick Hamilton to light on Foot.
1802 H. Martin Helen of Glenross III. 272 Is it of force you must render yourself contemptible?
a. it is force: it is of consequence or importance; usually neg. it is no force (also, it maketh no force), it does not matter. So (without verb) what force?, no force = ‘what matter?’, ‘no matter’. Const. though.., if.., whether.., or relative clause; also absol. and parenthetic. [So in Old French] Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > be unimportant [verb (intransitive)]
it is no forcec1369
to be not (nought) to charge138.
to make no mattera1466
it maketh no force1551
to make nothing1551
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > be of no importance [phrase]
forcec1330
no wardc1330
no strength1340
no forcec1369
no mattera1466
what force?a1513
no skill1575
what matter?1678
the game (play, etc.) is not worth the candlea1699
nix my dolly1795
what the hell1872
c1369 G. Chaucer Bk. Duchesse 522 ‘A! goode sir, no fors’ quod I.
c1386 G. Chaucer Merchant's Tale 591 It is no fors how longe that we pleye.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 13044 Of hir nam es na force to tell.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 20683 I shal ȝou telle for hit is fors where þenne bicome hir cors.
a1400–50 Alexander 471 Þofe þou haue forfet, na force, so has fele othire.
a1450 Knt. de la Tour (1868) 33 He is but a tromper and a iaper, no fors, late us sende for hym.
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) II. f. clxxiiiv What force thougth sathan..Do hym rewarde.
1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) iii. 325 Trino or terno, no force whether.
1540 Sir R. Sadler in St. Papers (1809) I. 25 ‘Well’, quoth he, ‘it is no force’.
1551 R. Record Pathway to Knowl. i. xxvi Parte that arche line into two partes, equall other vnequall, it maketh no force.
1581 T. Howell His Deuises sig. F.iijv Imbrace the good, as for the rest, no force how they thee take.
1612 J. Davies Muses Sacrifice sig. V8v She neuer yet so much as smiled on me; No force, sith I my selfe the better know.
1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. i. 19 They are Dutch Colours: no force, the worst of Enemies.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > be of no importance [phrase]
forcec1330
no wardc1330
no strength1340
no forcec1369
no mattera1466
what force?a1513
no skill1575
what matter?1678
the game (play, etc.) is not worth the candlea1699
nix my dolly1795
what the hell1872
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 20 Of his body was no force, non for him wild murne.
c1374 G. Chaucer Compl. Mars 197 But were she sauf, hit were no fors of me.
1486 Bk. St. Albans C j a Bot therof it is no force iff she be hole.
1529 T. More Dialogue Heresyes i, in Wks. 131/2 It was of lyklyhode the same night, or some other time sone after..No force for the time quod he.
1578 G. Whetstone Promos & Cassandra: 1st Pt. ii. iv. sig. Cjv No force for that, each shyft for one.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [verb (intransitive)] > attach importance to
reckOE
to make (do, give, take, have, let, kythe, set) force1303
chargea1425
to think (it) much1548
reckon1576
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 10286 Lytel fors of hym þou ȝyues.
c1325 Metr. Hom. 43 Elles forze wald he nan mak Quether his clething war quit or blac.
c1369 G. Chaucer Bk. Duchesse 542 ‘I do no fors therof’ quod he.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 3651 Of here fon no fors þei ne leten.
?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 5392 Monkes hors to gest he had na fors In a hyrne of his Innes.
c1460 (a1449) J. Lydgate Minor Poems (1934) ii. 768 Som yeue no fors for to be forsworn.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur ii. iii. 79 I take no force though I haue bothe their hedes.
1483 Cron. Englande (1510) R j a Kynge Edwardes sone set by the Scottes no force.
1509 A. Barclay Brant's Shyp of Folys (Pynson) f. lxxi Thou ought to be asshamyd To set so great fors for syluer or for golde.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Chron. (1812) I. 770 Sir Hugh Caurell made no force at his wordes.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Chron. (1812) I. 419 With the whiche the prince was sore displeased, and set lesse force in ye men of the churche, in whom before he hadde great trust.
1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 512 b I make no force whether any medicine be applied.
1664 Floddan Field iii. 26 And of their lives took little force.
a. Hunting. to hunt (etc.) at force (also of or by force): to run (the game) down with dogs; to hunt in the open with the hounds in full cry. Obsolete. [Compare Old French courir les cerfs a force (15th cent. in Littré); French par force remains in German parforcejagd, the ordinary term for a formal ‘hunt’ in the English sense.]
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting with hounds > hunt with hounds [verb (intransitive)]
to hunt (etc.) at force (also of or by force)1575
1575 G. Gascoigne Noble Arte Venerie i. 3 In hunting the Raynedeare at force.
?1578 W. Patten Let. Entertainm. Killingwoorth 17 Too ryde foorth intoo the Chase too hunt the Hart of fors.
a1637 B. Jonson Sad Shepherd i. vi. 22 in Wks. (1640) III Rob. And hunted yee at force? Mar. In a full cry. View more context for this quotation
1674 N. Cox Gentleman's Recreation i. 12 If..you should run him at force out of a Toil.
1677 N. Cox Gentleman's Recreation (ed. 2) i. 55 The King of Poland makes use of them in his hunting of great Beasts by force.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > attack > attack [verb (transitive)]
greetc893
overfallOE
riseOE
assail?c1225
to lay on or upon?c1225
onseekc1275
to set on ——c1290
infighta1300
saila1300
to go upon ——c1300
to turn one's handc1325
lashc1330
annoyc1380
impugnc1384
offendc1385
to fall on ——a1387
sault1387
affrayc1390
to set upon ——1390
to fall upon ——a1398
to lay at?a1400
semblea1400
assayc1400
havec1400
aset1413
oppressa1425
attachc1425
to set at ——c1430
fraya1440
fray1465
oppugn?a1475
sayc1475
envaye1477
pursue1488
envahisshe1489
assaulta1500
to lay to, untoa1500
requirea1500
enterprise?1510
invade1513
assemblec1515
expugn1530
to fare on1535
to fall into ——1550
mount1568
attack?1576
affront1579
invest1598
canvass1599
to take arms1604
attempt1605
to make force at, to, upon1607
salute1609
offence1614
strikea1616
to give a lift at1622
to get at ——1650
insult1697
to walk into ——1794
to go in at1812
to go for ——1838
to light on ——1842
strafe1915
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 145 [A dog] made force vpon him and the Lyon likewise at the Dogge.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 158 Vpon signes giuen them, to which of the stragling beastes they ought to make force.
1612 T. Beard Theatre Gods Judgem. (ed. 2) 297 The dog..instantly made force at him..as a man would doe at his mortall enemie.
1677 N. Cox Gentleman's Recreation (ed. 2) i. 62 Their manner is..,to make force at him with their Horns.
Compounds
In combinations (? of the noun or the verb-stem). Also force-pump n.
force cup n. a rubber cup attached to a handle which by creating a vacuum in a blocked drain is used to clear it.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > clearing of refuse matter > [noun] > clearing drain or sewer > device for
grate-iron1750
plunger1885
force cup1907
1907 Yesterday's Shopping (1969) 118/3 Force Cup. For cleansing stopped pipes, drains, &c.
1951 Good Housek. Home Encycl. 257/1 Try using a rubber force cup with a vigorous up-and-down movement.
1960 D. V. Davis Domest. Encycl. i. 54 An emergency force cup can be made by cutting a piece out of an old rubber ball, placing the pole over the sink outlet and squeezing the ball several times.
force field n. (also force-field) a field of force (see field n.1 15); esp. in Science Fiction, one that acts as an invisible barrier.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > mechanics > force > [noun] > area under influence of
field1845
field of force1850
force field1920
1920 Rep. Brit. Assoc. 1920 236 Each atom must form the centre of an electromagnetic field of force. These force fields were first dealt with by Humphreys.
1926 Bull. Nat. Res. Counc. 54 294 A clear understanding of the form of the orbit and quantum conditions for central force fields is often essential in the theoretical interpretation of spectra.
1944 F. Brown in B. W. Aldiss Introd. SF (1964) 74 ‘There is a barrier.’ A force-field, of course.
1962 F. I. Ordway et al. Basic Astronautics iv. 120 There are four groups of phenomena: (1) interstellar and interplanetary particulate matter, (2) energetic particles, (3) electromagnetic radiations, and (4) force fields.
1964 Observer 13 Dec. 34/7 An electronic bird-repeller..that will send out a science-fiction type ‘force field’ to keep birds away.
force-land v. (see forced adj. 2d).
force-out n. in Baseball, the obligatory retirement of a base runner at the base he is forced to run to by a following base runner.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > baseball > [noun] > putting player out > actions
K1861
double play1867
assist1877
put-out1882
force-out1896
rundown1908
pickoff1911
strike-out1911
tag1941
punch-out1973
1896 H. Chadwick Spalding's Base Ball Guide 76 The result being a force-out play to second, if not a double play.
1926 N.Y. Times 11 Oct. 24/1 His grounder to Bell was turned into a forceout of Ruth at second while Combs dashed on to third.
1968 Washington Post 4 July c2/4 Wills..took third on Gene Alley's single and scored on Roberto Clemente's force out.
force-piece n. (see quot.).
ΚΠ
1882 Ogilvie's Imperial Dict. (new ed.) Force-piece in mining, a piece of timber placed in a level shaft to keep the ground open.
force-pipe n. the pipe of a force-pump in which the piston works.
ΚΠ
1842 J. Gwilt Encycl. Archit. ii. iii. 585 When the height of the force pipe is greater or less than the length of the suction pipe.
Draft additions October 2009
force protection n. U.S. Military the safeguarding of personnel or installations against attack, esp. as a strategic principle.
ΚΠ
1969 R. D. Gastil in J. J. Holst & W. Schneider Why ABM? iii. 41 (note) For discussion of the role of BMD in force protection see Chapter 6.
1981 Aviation Week & Space Technol. 1 June 23 During the European phase of the program, aircrews flew more than 700 missions to evaluate point area defense, force protection, air superiority, [etc.].
1995 N.Y. Times 24 Dec. 6/2 ‘The principal guiding tenet of this operation is force protection,’ Col. Bob Gaylord of the Army said.
2003 Foreign Affairs May 61 After costly experiences in Beirut and Saudi Arabia, force protection has become a much higher priority for the United States, making its units less vulnerable than before.
Draft additions September 2019
With the and chiefly with capital initial. In the fictional universe of the Star Wars films: a mystical universal energy field which certain individuals, such as the Jedi (see Jedi n.), can harness to gain special powers or abilities. Also in extended use, and in allusions to dialogue from the Star Wars films, esp. may the Force be with you (used to wish someone good luck, courage, etc.).
ΚΠ
1974 G. Lucas Star Wars (film script: rough draft) 14 I know, Luke. I feel The Force also.
1977 N.Y. Times Mag. 20 Nov. 124/4 The psychobabblers not only outnumber the rest of us, but..they have The Force on their side.
1995 Stornoway Gaz. 13 July 11/8 Goalkeepers appeared to use ‘The Force’ to an extent Luke Skywalker himself would have been proud of.
1999 T. Parsons Man & Boy (2000) i. 12 ‘The Force is strong in this one,’ Pat said.
2018 @MedSciMenon 11 Dec. in twitter.com (accessed 10 July 2019) Exam week day #2. Sending good energy to all our students! May the force be with you!
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
forcen.2
/fɔːs/, U.S. /fɔrs/ local.
A name in the north of England for a waterfall or cascade.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > water > waterfall > [noun]
linnc975
waterfallOE
fallc1350
spout1534
waterspout1560
overfall1596
force1600
sault1600
watershoot1669
cascade1671
leap1796
chute1805
water wall1847
1600 W. Camden Britannia (new ed.) 686 (margin) Catadupæ. The Forses.
1658 E. Phillips New World Eng. Words Forses, water-falls.
1769 T. Gray Jrnl. 9 Oct. in Corr. (1971) III. 1102 After dinner went..to see the falls (or force) of the river Kent.
1788 W. Marshall Provincialisms E. Yorks. in Rural Econ. Yorks. II. 329 Foss, a waterfall.
1813 W. Scott Bridal of Triermain iii. viii. 138 Shingle and Scrae, and Fell and Force.
1845 P. J. Bailey Festus (ed. 2) 217 Like to a foaming force.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
† forcen.3
Obsolete.
Only in gruel of force = ‘gruel forced, afforced’ (see force v.3).
ΚΠ
a1475 Liber Cocorum (Sloane) (1862) 47 For gruel of force serve hom at mele.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
forcev.1
/fɔːs/, U.S. /fɔrs/ I. To apply force.† 2. To press hard upon (in battle). Obsolete.
1. transitive. To use violence to; to violate, ravish (a woman).
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > unchastity > loss of chastity > deprive of chastity [verb (transitive)] > rape
to do (a) shamec1275
afforcec1330
beforcec1375
misusea1382
oppressa1382
enforcec1386
ravisha1387
forcea1400
betravaila1425
trespass1427
supprisea1450
violatec1450
viole?c1450
stuprate?1526
devour1530
stupre1548
constuprate1550
rape1574
suppress1590
harry1591
constrain1594
abripe1623
obstuprate1658
spoil1678
to rip off1967
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 1577 Wimmen þai forced a-mang þaim.
?a1400 Morte Arth. 978 He has forsede hir and fylede.
1484 W. Caxton tr. G. de la Tour-Landry Bk. Knight of Tower (1971) lviii. 84 She saide to her lord that he wolde haue forced her.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 349 The abbesse sawe that for her beaute she shulde be forced.
a1653 Z. Boyd Zion's Flowers (1855) 143 To force a maide, it sure will blot your name.
1701 J. Swift Disc. Contests Nobles & Commons i. 7 One of them proceeding so far as to endeavour to force a Lady of great Virtue.
1871 H. King tr. Ovid Metamorphoses iv. 290 ‘Let Himself’, she cried, ‘Confess, he forced me!’
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > attack > attack [verb (transitive)] > harass or press hard
forcec1330
pressc1450
express1490
gall1548
harass1622
c1330 Arth. & Merl. 8951 Thai..forced hem with mani dent hard, What thai come to king Riones standard.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 7671 Þai..fforsit hym with fight..Vnhorset hym in hast.
3.
a. To constrain by force (whether physical or moral); to compel; to overcome the resistance of. to force (one's) hand: to compel one to act prematurely or to adopt a policy he dislikes. Cf. French forcer la main à quelqu'un.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > obedience > compulsion > compel [verb (transitive)]
needeOE
straita1340
pressa1393
afforcea1400
stressa1400
coactc1400
coarctc1400
strainc1400
compulse?a1475
cohert1475
oppress1523
compel1526
forcec1540
to tie to the stake1544
urge1576
adact1615
duressa1626
coerce1659
railroad1889
to twist the tail1895
steamroll1900
steamroller1912
shanghai1919
bulldozer1945
shotguna1961
society > authority > subjection > obedience > compulsion > compel [verb (transitive)] > to do something
holdc1275
piltc1275
constraina1340
strength1340
distrainc1374
compelc1380
makec1395
distressa1400
stressa1400
art?1406
putc1450
coerce1475
cohert1475
enforce1509
perforce1509
forcec1540
violent?1551
press1600
necessitate1601
rack1602
restrain1621
reduce1622
oblige1632
necessiate1709
society > authority > subjection > obedience > compulsion > compel [verb (intransitive)] > to action
to put (a person) to it1581
to hold (also put) a pistol to (also at) (a person's) head1841
to force (one's) hand1860
to twist (someone's) arm1953
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 1924 His fader vs forset with his fowle wille.
1551 T. Wilson Rule of Reason sig. Eiv Neither can any Lawe be able violentlye to force the inward thought of man.
1574 E. Hellowes tr. A. de Guevara Familiar Epist. 100 To demaund more tribute, to force thy people, to forget mee thi friend.
1602 J. Marston Antonios Reuenge iv. v. sig. H4 Hee whose great heart heauen can not force with force.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 (1623) i. i. 231 Art thou King, and wilt be forc't ? View more context for this quotation
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis vii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 424 To Force their Monarch, and insult the Court.
1764 O. Goldsmith Traveller 9 Where the bleak Swiss..force a churlish soil for scanty bread.
1827 W. Wordsworth Persecut. Sc. Covenanters Who would force the Soul, tilts with a straw Against a Champion cased in adamant.
1860 J. L. Motley Hist. Netherlands (1868) I. viii. 524 Sir Francis..occasionally forced his adversaries' hands.
b. To put a strained sense upon (words). Also, to force (words) into a sense.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > misinterpretation > distortion or perversion of meaning > pervert or distort [verb (transitive)]
crooka1340
deprave1382
pervertc1390
strainc1449
drawc1450
miswrest?a1475
bewrya1522
wry?1521
to make a Welshman's hose ofa1529
writhea1533
wrest1533
invert1534
wring?1541
depravate1548
rack1548
violent1549
wrench1549
train1551
wreathe1556
throw1558
detorta1575
shuffle1589
wriggle1593
distortc1595
to put, set, place, etc. on the rack1599
twine1600
wire-draw1610
monstrify1617
screw1628
corrupt1630
gloss1638
torture1648
force1662
vex1678
refract1700
warp1717
to put a force upon1729
twist1821
ply1988
1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ iii. ii. §2 Without forcing the words of Moses into such a sense.
1701 J. Swift Disc. Contests Nobles & Commons v. 48 I am not conscious that I [h]ave forced one Example.
1875 E. White Life in Christ (1878) iv. xxiv. 381 This is manifestly to force the Scripture.
c. Cards, esp. in Whist. (a) To compel (a player) to trump a trick, by leading a card of a suit of which he has none; (b) To make (a player) play so as to show the strength of his hand; (c) To cause a player to play (a certain card) by leading one which must have the effect of drawing it out.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > play a card [verb (transitive)] > actions or tactics
to hold up?1499
decardc1555
to turn up1580
discard1591
pulla1625
to sit out1659
face1674
to make out1680
to lay out1687
to throw away1707
lead1739
weaken1742
carry1744
to take in1744
force1746
to show down1768
throw1866
blank1884
block1884
cover1885
unblock1885
pitch1890
1746 E. Hoyle Whist (ed. 6) 25 Your strong Suit forces their best Trumps.
1746 E. Hoyle Whist (ed. 6) 68 Forcing, Means the obliging your Partner or your Adversary to trump a suit of which he has none.
1862 ‘Cavendish’ Princ. Whist (1870) 28 To force or to give a force is to lead a forcing card.
1862 ‘Cavendish’ Princ. Whist (1879) 111 If..a good partner refrains from forcing you, you may be sure he is weak.
1878 H. H. Gibbs Game of Ombre (ed. 2) 16 Manille when led will necessarily force Basto if the latter be the other player's only trump.
d. intransitive. Australian and New Zealand. Of a sheep-dog: to move sheep. Cf. force n.1 7e.
ΚΠ
1920 Paton & Reid in J. B. Cramsie Managem. Sheep Austral. v. 29 Close working [by a dog] in the open paddock is to be avoided because this means forcing, and forcing means over-heated sheep.
1934 J. Lilico Sheep Dog Mem. 27 [The dogs] would head, lead, hunt away, force and back though..they were best at rouseabout work.
4. † c. elliptical (= force to believe) To convince. Obsolete.
a. To compel, constrain, or oblige (a person, oneself, etc.) to do a thing (†sometimes with to omitted); to bring (things), to drive (a person, etc.) to or into (a course of action, a condition).
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > obedience > compulsion > compel [verb (transitive)] > to or into an action or state
needeOE
driveOE
strainc1374
halec1400
plunge?c1400
thrust14..
pulla1425
put1425
compel1541
violent?1551
forcec1592
necessitate1629
oblige1632
dragoon1689
press1733
coercea1853
thirl1871
steamroller1959
arm-twist1964
c1425 Wyntoun Cron. viii. xxxvii. 164 Fortown forsyd hyr to be fa.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 555/1 I force, I constrayne one to do a thyng.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 6823 Þe grekes..were forsit to þe fight.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 9965 Þai spake to þe kyng, For to force hym to fight, & his feris help.
c1592 C. Marlowe Jew of Malta iii. i Which forc'd their hands divide united hearts.
1593 W. Shakespeare Venus & Adonis sig. Bij Forst to content, but neuer to obey, Panting he lies.
1652 P. Heylyn Cosmographie iii. sig. Iii Who..being forced to forsake their Countrey, came and setled here.
1673 R. Haddock Jrnl. in Camden Misc. (1881) VIII. 25 The wind..forct us strick our yard.
1770 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) II. xli. 129 Your fears have..forced you to resign.
1803 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 10 510 Solid or fluid substances exciting vomiting..act as powerful stimuli on the disordered state of the stomach, and force it to preternatural contraction.
1845 M. Pattison in Christian Remembrancer Jan. 68 When men are forced into daily and hourly action in matters where they cannot be indifferent spectators.
1867 S. Smiles Huguenots Eng. & Ireland vi. 135 Many of the fugitives..appear to have been forced to attend mass.
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People ii. §8. 106 Every knight was forced to arm himself with coat of mail.
b. passive (of a thing) to be forced to be, etc.: to be of necessity. colloquial or nonstandard in later use.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > necessity > must of necessity [verb (intransitive)] > be necessary by circumstance
to be forced to be1691
1691 T. Hale Acct. New Inventions 47 The Rudder-Irons being eaten by the Rust, were forced to be shifted.
1691 T. Hale Acct. New Inventions 49 The Lead was forced to be cut away in many places.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > belief, trust, confidence > act of convincing, conviction > bring to belief, convince [verb (transitive)]
persuadec1450
ensurec1500
satisfyc1520
convict1583
forcea1586
move1590
possess1591
secure1602
confirm1607
convince1609
convince1632
induce1655
prepossessa1676
coax1676
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Astrophel & Stella (1591) 4 Forst by a tedious proofe, that Turkish hardned hart Were no fit marke.
5. † b. reflexive and intransitive. To do one's utmost endeavour, strive. Obsolete.
a. To urge, compel to violent effort; †to exert (one's strength) to the utmost. spec. in games and sport. to force the pace (also the running) (in a race): to adopt, and thus force one's competitors to adopt, a rate of speed likely to harass them and improve one's own chance of winning. to force the bidding: at a sale by auction, to run the price up rapidly. to force one's voice: to attempt notes beyond the natural compass. to force the game: to act decisively or aggressively, in such a way as to (seek to) influence an outcome; (in Cricket of a batter) to run some risks in order to increase the rate of scoring, and so give one's side a better chance of winning a game.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > [verb (transitive)] > exert (one's strength or powers) to the utmost
stretch1612
force1697
the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > [verb (transitive)] > put the limbs or faculties to abnormal exertion
swinkc1300
strain1446
stress1540
to put, set, place, etc. on the rack1599
taska1616
tax1672
force1825
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > produce musical sound [verb (transitive)] > compel
force1825
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > batting > bat [verb (intransitive)] > types of batting
to play back1816
to step in1837
to play forward1851
to run out1858
slog1869
hang one's bat out to dry1895
to force the game1897
to farm the strike1901
to sit on (or upon) the splice1906
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis vi, in tr. Virgil Wks. 376 High on a Mounting Wave, my head I bore: Forcing my Strength, and gath'ring to the Shore.
1799 P. Hoare tr. A. von Kotzebue Sighs iv. ii. 60 I wanted to force the game, and put an hundred ducats on one card.
1822 J. Cochrane Treat. Game of Chess 104 By taking his queen's rook's pawn with it, you will force the game.
1825 J. F. Danneley Encycl. Music at Force When..the instrument or voice is forced, sound becomes noise..To Force the voice, is to exceed its diapason and natural strength.
1873 W. H. Dixon Hist. Two Queens I. i. vi. 44 She was..the only human being who could force his game.
1897 Earl of Suffolk et al. Encycl. Sport I. 226/2 Under such conditions the batsmen should run a few risks to score runs quickly (in cricketers' parlance, ‘to force the game’) while they have the chance.
1904 P. F. Warner How we recovered Ashes xiv. 276 Hopkins was evidently bent on forcing the hitting.
1908 W. E. W. Collins Leaves from Old Country Cricketer's Diary x. 168 An attempt..to force the game on a ground that does not lend itself to forcing tactics.
1963 A. Ross Australia 63 iii. 79 Dexter forced him through mid-wicket.
1970 Times 19 Aug. 6/3 They all pitched a little short, for fear of being driven, and because of this they were forced and hooked.
1986 N.Y. Mag. 28 Apr. 99 The négociants monopolized the trade and forced the game.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > make an attempt or endeavour [verb (intransitive)] > do one's utmost
forcec1340
to give business to1340
to set (up) one's rest1589
to strain every nerve1837
to shoot one's wad1914
the world > action or operation > endeavour > [verb (reflexive)] > strive
afforcec1300
forcec1340
perforce1490
stretch1526
c1340 R. Rolle Prose Treat. 6 Sothely fra þat tym furthe I forced me for to luf Jhesu.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Ecclus. xxix. 19 He that forseth manye thingus to do, shall fallen in to dom.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 18089 And forces yow wit might and m[a]in Stalworthli to stand a-gain.
a1400–50 Alexander 2659 Þof he hym forsyd hafe The charge of hys chiftane chefely to fylle.
1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Apr. 24 Forcing with gyfts to winne his wanton heart.
1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene v. vi. sig. R2 Forcing in vaine the rest to her to tell. View more context for this quotation
6. To overpower by force.in extended use.1627 T. May tr. Lucan Pharsalia (new ed.) ii. 463 Vntill The sea diuided him, and water forc'd The land.1821 J. Clare Village Minstrel I. 136 Stopping up the mimic rills, Till they forc'd their frothy bound.† c. To compel to give way or yield; to overpower (troops, a guard). Obsolete.
a. To make a forcible entry into; to take by force, to storm (a stronghold); to board (a ship). Also, To effect a passage through (mountains, a river, an enemy's lines) by force.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > attack > attack [verb (transitive)] > penetrate by force > storm or breach walls
brashc1565
force1591
embreach1610
storm1645
open1748
society > armed hostility > hostilities at sea > operations or manoeuvres > perform operation or manoeuvre [verb (transitive)] > board
force1591
board1797
society > armed hostility > attack > attack [verb (transitive)] > penetrate by force
force1695
breach1803
1591 H. Savile tr. Tacitus Ende of Nero: Fower Bks. Hist. ii. 58 By whose per swasion his shippe was forced and taken.
1608 P. Golding tr. J. Sleidane Epit. Frossard i. 10 At length the Citie..was forced by assault.
1695 R. Blackmore Prince Arthur iv. 109 The Invading Saxon forc'd our Lines.
1810 Duke of Wellington Dispatches (1837) VII. 56 I have no doubt, the enemy is not..able to force the position of the allies in this country.
1825 T. Jefferson Autobiogr. in Wks. (1859) I. 98 The people..forced the prison of Saint Lazare.
1839 T. Keightley Hist. Eng. II. 43 The rebels once more prepared to force the ford.
1854 J. S. C. Abbott Napoleon (1855) I. iv. 86 Hannibal..forced the Alps: but we have turned them.
b. To break open (a gate, etc.); to break (a lock); †to pierce (armour). Also to force open.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > open [verb (transitive)] > force or wrench open
unspurna1300
upbreak1382
to strike up1467
to break open1594
wrench1607
force1623
spring1825
society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > use or wield (a weapon) [verb (transitive)] > pierce armour (of weapons)
force1623
the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > open [verb (transitive)] > a door, gate, etc. > unlock, unbolt, etc. > pick or force (a lock)
unpicka1393
picka1450
shoot1637
force1855
jemmy1893
1623 J. Bingham tr. Lipsius Compar. Rom. Manner Warre in tr. Xenophon Hist. 4 The Parthian Arrows forced all kinde of Armor.
a1639 J. Spottiswood Hist. Church Scotl. (1677) iv. 188 The Citizens..being denied entry, forces the gates.
1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall III. 236 The..dwelling..was forced open by one of the powerful Goths.
1834 T. Medwin Angler in Wales II. 57 Having no means of forcing the gate.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. 302 No blacksmith..would force the lock of the President's lodgings.
1887 Times 31 Aug. 13/4 A window had been forced as well as a desk.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > victory > make victorious [verb (transitive)] > conquer or overcome
overcomeeOE
shendc893
awinc1000
overwinOE
overheaveOE
to lay downa1225
mate?c1225
discomfitc1230
win1297
dauntc1300
cumber1303
scomfit1303
fenkc1320
to bear downc1330
confoundc1330
confusec1330
to do, put arrear1330
oversetc1330
vanquishc1330
conquerc1374
overthrowc1375
oppressc1380
outfighta1382
to put downa1382
discomfortc1384
threshc1384
vencuea1400
depressc1400
venque?1402
ding?a1425
cumrayc1425
to put to (also at, unto) the (also one's) worsec1425
to bring or put to (or unto) utterance1430
distrussc1430
supprisec1440
ascomfita1450
to do stress?c1450
victorya1470
to make (win) a conquest1477
convanquish1483
conquest1485
defeat1485
oversailc1485
conques1488
discomfish1488
fulyie1488
distress1489
overpress1489
cravent1490
utter?1533
to give (a person) the overthrow1536
debel1542
convince1548
foil1548
out-war1548
profligate1548
proflige?c1550
expugnate1568
expugn1570
victor1576
dismay1596
damnify1598
triumph1605
convict1607
overman1609
thrash1609
beat1611
debellate1611
import1624
to cut to (or in) pieces1632
maitrise1636
worst1636
forcea1641
outfight1650
outgeneral1767
to cut up1803
smash1813
slosh1890
ream1918
hammer1948
a1641 R. Montagu Acts & Monuments (1642) 246 He..dis~lodged, forced, apprehended many of them.
1718 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1852) III. 51 And fforced two of their men.
1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall II. 120 The emperor soon removed the only obstacle that could embarrass his motions, by forcing a body of troops which had taken post in an amphitheatre.
7. absolute.1588 R. Greene Pandosto sig. A4v Where fancy forced, friendship was of no force.
a. To drive by force, propel against resistance, impel. Chiefly const. with preposition, or with adverbs.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impelling or driving > impel or drive [verb (transitive)]
driveeOE
sendc950
stira1300
enforce1340
swayc1400
compel1447
force1582
impel1611
impulse1611
to set gone?1611
to knock on1642
pulse1666
command1680
1582 N. Lichefield tr. F. L. de Castanheda 1st Bk. Hist. Discouerie E. Indias iii. 8 b Their skinnes be so hard that no speare can pearce the same, albeit it be forced vpon it with great strength.
1634 J. Bate Myst. Nature & Art i. 17 Another manner of forcing water.
a1691 R. Boyle Gen. Hist. Air (1692) 138 They set up some turfs on the lee side of the hole, to catch, and so force down the fresh air.
1700 S. L. tr. C. Schweitzer Relation Voy. in tr. C. Frick & C. Schweitzer Relation Two Voy. E.-Indies 298 Those that delight in Hunting, may find great quantities of Beasts forced up into the Mountains at that time.
1705 J. Addison Remarks Italy 4 We were forc'd, by contrary Winds, into St. Remo.
a1732 T. Boston Crook in Lot (1805) 115 When ye work against him, to force up your condition.
a1818 M. G. Lewis Jrnl. W. India Proprietor (1834) 299 At least three inches of the blade were forced into his right side.
1849 G. P. R. James Woodman I. i. 3 A low chalky bank, through which the stream seemed to have forced itself.
1878 R. Browning La Saisiaz 59 Idle hopes that lure man onward, forced back by as idle fears.
b. to force down: to compel (an aircraft) to land.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > causing to come or go down > cause to come or go down [verb (transitive)] > press or force down
downbeara1382
pressc1425
to bear down1440
depress1526
suppress1542
detrude1548
sway1857
to force down1917
society > travel > air or space travel > action of flying (in) aircraft > specific flying operations or procedures > [verb (transitive)] > land > force to land
to force down1917
1917 War Illustr. 15 Dec. 359 The German machine..was ‘forced down’ on the French front in an intact state, and its airmen were made prisoners.
1958 Times 30 June 10/5 U.S. aircraft forced down by Soviet fighters.
8.
a. intransitive. To make one's way by force. Also with in, out, up. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > [verb (intransitive)] > forcibly
shovec888
thrustc1330
crowda1415
throngc1440
thrumble?a1513
to shoulder one's way1581
to make one's way1589
bear1594
push1602
jostle1622
force1653
way1694
squeeze1704
to push one's way1716
thrutchc1837
barge1888
1653 H. Holcroft tr. Procopius Gothick Warre ii. 46 in tr. Procopius Hist. Warres Justinian The Marriners rowed, and with much toyle forced up.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 109 For Love they force thro' Thickets. View more context for this quotation
1707 London Gaz. No. 4380/3 The Firebrand..drove off, and forc'd in under a Fore-Course for the Light of St. Agnes.
1712 J. Warder True Amazons 154 When you feel them..ready to force out of your Hand.
1791 E. Inchbald Simple Story III. xii. 178 You have dared to visit her—to force into her presence and shock her.
1853 E. K. Kane U.S. Grinnell Exped. xliv. 406 We gradually force ahead, breasting aside the floes.
b. Real Tennis. To use the force stroke (see force n.1 15b).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > racket games > real tennis > play real tennis [verb (intransitive)] > type of stroke
band1580
force1890
1890 J. M. Heathcote et al. 52 It is impossible to force as severely, difficult to force as accurately, with a back-hand as with a fore-hand stroke.
9. transitive.† b. To lay stress upon, press home, urge. Obsolete. Also, To enforce (a law, etc.).
a. To press, put, or impose (something) forcibly on, upon (a person), and simply. Also, to force (a person) on, upon (something): to oblige to resort to.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > obedience > compulsion > compel [verb (transitive)] > force or impose something upon
to lay on11..
join1303
taxa1375
intruse?a1500
oversetc1500
beforcec1555
impose1581
threap1582
fasten1585
intrude1592
thrust1597
enforcea1616
forcea1616
entail1670
top1682
trump1694
push1723
coerce1790
press1797
inflict1809
levy1863
octroy1865
wish1915
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) iii. i. 115 To force that on you..Which you knew none of yours. View more context for this quotation
1683 D. A. Whole Art Converse 30 This barbarous custom of forcing drink upon men.
1709 J. Swift Project Advancem. Relig. 30 New Men, whose narrow Fortunes have forced them upon Industry and Application.
1751 J. Jortin Serm. (1771) II. iii. 43 An observation which will force itself upon you.
1822 T. De Quincey Confessions Eng. Opium-eater 173 The..riotous prodigality of life naturally forces the mind more powerfully upon the antagonist thought of death.
a1848 R. W. Hamilton Rewards & Punishm. (1853) viii. 383 The warfare is forced upon us.
1856 T. De Quincey Confessions Eng. Opium-eater (rev. ed.) in Select. Grave & Gay V. 238 Nervous irritation forced me..upon frightful excesses; but terror from anomalous symptoms sooner or later forced me back.
1872 J. L. Sanford Estimates Eng. Kings: Charles I 334 However plainly the facts of the case were forced on his attention.
1903 R. Langbridge Flame & Flood xxiv Her lack of money had forced her back upon the most respectable costume which she had.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > law enforcement > enforce [verb (transitive)]
follow1425
force1580
enforcea1616
to put in force1856
the mind > language > statement > pressure or urgency > press or urge [verb (transitive)]
strain1380
pressa1382
art?1406
enforcec1449
to stand for ——1531
work1532
urge1560
force1580
instance1606
1580 H. Gifford Posie of Gilloflowers ii. sig. K.4 But will that stately Dame, Still bad me write, not forcing any blame?
1607 M. Drayton Legend Cromwel 1 Forcing my good, excusing of my ill.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) iii. i. 109 Has he affections in him, That thus can make him bite the Law by th'nose, When he would force it? View more context for this quotation
c. In Conjuring (see quot. 18881).
ΚΠ
1880 R. Browning Clive in Dramatic Idyls 116 You forced a card and cheated!
1888 R. Kunard Bk. Card Tricks 13 To force a card..consists in making a person select from a pack any particular card you desire him to take, while he imagines he is taking one quite at haphazard.
1888 R. Kunard Bk. Card Tricks 14 To force, you must never be in a hurry..Four cards from the same pack were forced upon him.
10. To bring about, effect, or produce by force or effort; to bring about of necessity, or as a necessary result. Also, to force a passage, to force one's way. literal and figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > necessity > necessitate [verb (transitive)]
necess?a1425
to call for ——1547
force1551
necessite1596
necessitate1601
oblige1638
necessiate1709
necessity1827
mean1841
the world > existence and causation > creation > [verb (transitive)] > produce or bring forth > produce with effort or difficulty
laboura1393
force1551
constrain1607
screw1630
toil1671
to work up1675
scratch1922
the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > [verb (transitive)] > bring into specific condition by
doc1175
labour?c1500
force1551
work1599
mistake1667
worry1727
1551 T. Wilson Rule of Reason sig. Lj Yet are they not any cause to force the effecte.
1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. F1v This forced league doth force a further strife. View more context for this quotation
1608 T. Middleton Famelie of Love v. sig. H The Body where true lou's confin'd, Walkes as a Spirit, and doth force his way Through greatest dangers.
1640 W. Habington Hist. Edward IV 35 The Nobility in generall lookt discontented, or else but forc'd a smile.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan xxix. 173 A..strong endeavour of the Heart, to force a passage for the Bloud.
1680 T. Otway Orphan ii. 13 What man of sense would..force a grave starch't face, When he's a very Libertine in's heart?
1693 W. Congreve Old Batchelour i. i. 5 I don't force Appetite, but wait the natural call of my Lust.
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World i. 6 We should..force our way through their Country.
1703 M. Prior Ode to Col. Villiers 43 Some from the stranded Vessel force their Way.
1711 Ld. Shaftesbury Characteristicks III. Misc. ii. i. 46 If these Dealers are numerous, they will force a Trade.
1772 T. Simpson Compl. Vermin-killer Introd. The rain forces its way through, and rots the underwork [of the thatch].
1790 C. M. Graham Lett. Educ. 30 Hearers, who could hardly force such a seeming attention as is consistent with common politeness.
1802 C. James New Mil. Dict. To force a passage, to oblige your enemy to retire..and to open a way into the country which he had occupied.
1809 J. Roland Amateur of Fencing 81 You may..force a favourable opportunity to deliver the thrust you had thus premeditated.
1819 W. Scott Bride of Lammermoor vii, in Tales of my Landlord 3rd Ser. II. 125 The tears, in spite of her, forced their way between her fingers.
1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) III. 416 These studies force their way by their natural charm.
1892 F. P. Verney et al. Mem. Verney Family Civil War I. 3 If enemies forced their way into the house.
1969 Australian 24 May 36/7 Other NSW Country forwards who could force their way into the State side tomorrow are breakaway Dick Cocks, and prop Ross Turnbull.
2006 Washington Post 19 May a11/1 Police with a search warrant must knock and state their purpose, then wait a reasonable period for an answer, before forcing their way in.
11. To obtain or take by force; to win by violence; to draw forth (literal and figurative) as a necessary consequence; to extort, elicit. Also, to force away, out.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > [verb (transitive)] > elicit or call forth
movea1398
drawa1400
provoke?a1425
askc1450
to draw out1525
to stir up1526
allure?1532
suscitate1532
to call out1539
to draw fortha1569
draw1581
attract1593
raise1598
force1602
fetch1622
milka1628
invite1650
summon1679
elicit1822
to work up?1833
educe1840
the mind > possession > taking > seizing > seize [verb (transitive)] > with violence or forcibly
reaveeOE
latchc950
seize1338
rape?1387
wrestc1426
extort1529
redeema1578
wreathe1590
force1602
extend1610
wrencha1616
society > authority > subjection > obedience > compulsion > compel [verb (transitive)] > draw out or gain by compulsion or force
wringc1444
throwa1500
extort?1545
express1547
wrest1565
evict1567
extract1599
squeeze1602
screw1622
evince1631
grind1790
force1817
slug1974
1602 J. Marston Antonios Reuenge i. ii. sig. Bv A modest eye forceth affection.
1602 J. Marston Antonios Reuenge iv. iii. sig. G4v What I here speake, is forced from my lips, By the pulsiue straine of conscience.
1655 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. I. i. 93 Cleobulus.., and Periander.., forced a reputation.
1676 T. Hobbes tr. Homer Iliads i. 375 His Officers from me have forc't my prey.
1687 F. Atterbury Answer Considerations Spirit Luther 38 The heat of the dispute had forc'd out from him Expressions, that seem'd to make his Doctrine run higher then really it did.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis x, in tr. Virgil Wks. 514 It stuck so fast..That scarce the Victor forc'd the Steel away.
1712 A. Pope tr. Statius First Bk. Thebais in Misc. Poems 23 How long shall Man..force unwilling Vengeance from the Sky!
1715 Lady M. W. Montagu Town Eclogues ii. 46 A lady..with gentle strugglings let me force this ring.
1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 55 This forc'd Tears from my Eyes.
1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India II. v. ix. 715 Means..were employed to force out the real state of the facts.
a1818 M. G. Lewis Jrnl. W. India Proprietor (1834) 56 Somebody..had endeavoured to force it [a medal] away.
1845 M. Pattison in Christian Remembrancer Jan. 75 A moral power..forcing from them a sort of recognition of its claims.
12. To hasten by artificial means the maturity of (plants, fruit, etc.). Also absol. and intransitive for reflexive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > cultivation of plants or crops > cultivate plants or crops [verb (transitive)] > force
forward1626
to bring on1629
force1719
stint1845
to send along1867
1719 G. London & H. Wise J. de la Quintinie's Compl. Gard'ner (ed. 7) 304 We force Sorrel and wild Endive.
1823 New Monthly Mag. 9 453/2 The Scarlets will force in a peach-house, or vinery.
1832 Examiner 801/1 Nomination burghs have been forced like mush~rooms.
1842 W. T. Brande Dict. Sci., Lit. & Art 463/1 Cherries having been forced..from the time of Charles II.
1854 Poultry Chron. 1 624/2 If you wish to force, you have nothing more to do than give the male bird an extra good feed in the afternoon.
1897 N.E.D. at Force Mod. A premature scholar forced in a so-called ‘preparatory’ school.
II. To give, add, have force.† 13. † b. To fine (wine) by a short process. Obsolete.† 14. Chiefly in negative sentences:† b. intransitive. To trouble oneself, be concerned, care. Const. for, of, rarely on. Obsolete.† 15. impersonal or quasi-impersonal. To be of force, importance, or weight; to matter, signify. Obsolete.
a. To give force or strength to; to strengthen, reinforce; also, to fortify, garrison (a place), to man (fortifications). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > strengthening or confirmation of immaterial things > strengthen or confirm immaterial things [verb (transitive)]
strengha1175
strengthc1200
astrengthc1250
strength1340
confirmc1386
affirma1393
forcec1430
renforce?1473
corrobore1485
re-enforcec1485
reinforcec1485
stronga1500
consolidate?a1547
strengthen1546
sinewize1600
sinew1625
confortate1651
nervate1682
scaffolda1693
corroborate1698
substantiate1792
nerve1856
stouten1887
affirm1899
toughen1901
to put stuffing into1938
the world > relative properties > quantity > increase in quantity, amount, or degree > [verb (transitive)] > increase in strength or force
afforce1425
forcec1430
reforcec1450
fortify1470
reinforcec1485
stiffen?a1500
strengthen1548
toughen1582
invigorate1646
hardena1677
recruit1678
emphasize1800
bastion1822
beef1941
society > armed hostility > defence > defend [verb (transitive)] > garrison
set971
bemanc1175
ward1340
garnish?a1400
stuffc1400
fortify1470
force1535
garrison1569
garnison1583
garrisonize1657
society > armed hostility > defence > defensive work(s) > fortify [verb (transitive)]
fastenOE
enfirm1297
ofstrengthc1325
strengthc1325
warnc1330
ward1340
warnestorec1374
abattlec1380
embattlec1380
fortify1436
bulwark1450
strengthen1450
bastille1480
enstrength1483
rempare1525
munite1533
fence1535
force1535
ranforce1547
rampire1550
fort1559
ramforce1570
fortificate1575
refortify1579
ensconce1590
munify1596
sconce1598
renforce1602
harness1611
munish1633
tackle1645
schanze1901
c1430 J. Lydgate tr. Bochas Fall of Princes (1544) i. ix. 20 a Polinices to forcen his partie Ywedded had the kinges doughter dere.
1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) I. 13 Syne forcit it [the stronghold] with fowseis..And dowbill dykes.
1575 J. Rolland Treat. Court Venus ii. f. 32v With stark draw brig, weil forcit with fortalice.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) v. v. 5 Were they not forc'd with those that should be ours, We might haue..beate them backward home. View more context for this quotation
a1618 W. Raleigh Apol. Voy. Guiana 28 in Judicious & Sel. Ess. (1650) If you shall find that any great number of Souldiers be newly sent into Orrenoque..and that the Passages be already Forc'd.
1794 W. Hutchinson Hist. & Antiq. Durham III. 175 The ground..appears to have been forced, and is trenched round.
1810 C. James New Mil. Dict. (ed. 3) To force, to man the works of a garrison.
ΚΠ
?1734 P. Shaw Chem. Lect. xi. sig. [M]8v These are the common Methods of Forcing at present used in the Wine-Business.
1802 A. F. M. Willich Domest. Encycl. II. 325/1 Forcing of Wine: see Clarification.
1839 Hartley Wine & Spirit Merchants' Comp. 44 Fine or force this wine with the whites and shells of ten eggs.
a. † (b) with a sentence as object. Obsolete.† (c) with infinitive as object. To care to, think it of consequence, or worth while to. Also, to hesitate, scruple. Obsolete.
(a) transitive. To attach force or importance to; to care for, regard; often with a strengthening phrase, as a bean, a pin, a straw. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > [verb (transitive)]
haveeOE
weenc1000
praisec1250
setc1374
set by1393
endaunt1399
prizec1400
reverencec1400
tender1439
repute1445
to have (also make, take) regard to or that1457
to take, make, set (no) count of (upon, by)c1475
pricec1480
to make (great, etc.) account (also count, esteem, estimation, reckoning, regard, store) of1483
force1509
to look upon ——c1515
to have (also hold) in estimationc1522
to make reckoning of1525
esteem1530
regard1533
to tell, make, hold, set (great, little, no) store of1540
value1549
to make dainty of (anything)1555
reckon1576
to be struck on1602
agrade1611
respect1613
beteem1627
appreciate1648
to put, set (an) esteem, a high, low esteem upon1665
to think small beer of1816
to think the world of1826
existimate1847
reckon1919
rate1973
1509 A. Barclay Brant's Shyp of Folys (Pynson) f. lxxi They forse no thynge so they may money wyn.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 1929 We fors not his frendship, ne fere of his hate.
1587 G. Turberville Tragicall Tales f. 195 Force not the face, regard not feature so.
1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. H1 I force not argument a straw. View more context for this quotation
1606 J. Reynolds Dolarnys Primerose (1880) 92 They feare not death, they force him not a pin.
1614 C. Brooke Ghost Richard III i. l. sig. D1 I forst no publiqve wrack..So I might rule.
ΚΠ
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 140 Thai fors bot litill how it fure.
1568 Newe Comedie Iacob & Esau ii. ii. sig. C.j I force not what it were, so that I had to eate.
1580 H. Gifford Posie of Gilloflowers ii. sig. N.4 Let them speak and spare not, I force it not a beane.
1611 J. Speed Hist. Great Brit. ix. xx. 745/2 They forced not what part they tooke, so that they might bee reuenged.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [verb (transitive)] > regard as important > regard as worthy
force1509
1509 A. Barclay Brant's Shyp of Folys (Pynson) f. clxxv To theyr company none forsyth to resort.
1546 J. Bale Actes Eng. Votaryes: 1st Pt. f. 60v He forced not to be periured.
1563 2nd Tome Homelyes Right Use of Church ii, in J. Griffiths Two Bks. Homilies (1859) ii. 163 Another..forceth not to hear the common prayer of the minister.
1591 J. Harington tr. L. Ariosto Orlando Furioso i. lxix. 6 The name I will not force, To tell, sith you desire to know the same.
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. ii. 440 Your Oth once broke, you force not to forsweare. View more context for this quotation
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > care or heed [verb (intransitive)] > care or reck
reckOE
force1471
regardc1540
pass1548
skill1821
1471 G. Ripley Compound of Alchymy v. xxxv, in E. Ashmole Theatrum Chem. Britannicum (1652) 156 He forsyth lyttyll of other menys losse.
a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 58/1 The frere forced for no shame.
1547 R. Record Judic. Uryne 2 I force nott though he doubt also of my truth in the same.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. clxxxxiiii He [sc. Wolsey] forced litle on symony.
1573 New Custome ii. iii. sig. C ivv I force not I, so the vyllaine were dead.
1605 W. Camden Remaines i. 190 The Duke answered: I force not of such fooleries.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [verb (transitive)]
bea1400
forcea1400
to stand (a person) in store?1463
makea1466
concerna1475
nigh1490
import1561
cerna1616
boot1752
mean1860
a1400–50 Alexander 2001 Þen how fele be att þe flote, it forcez bot lityll.
1553 T. Wilson Arte Rhetorique (1580) 75 What forceth when we die.
1603 G. Owen Descr. Penbrokshire (1891) 150 Whose soever they be yt forceth not.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
† forcev.2
Obsolete.
transitive. To clip or shear (wool, the beard); esp. to clip off the upper and more hairy part of (wool).
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > treating or processing textile materials > treating or processing wool > treat or process wool [verb (transitive)] > clip
forcec1440
barb1483
bard1641
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > cutting > cut [verb (transitive)] > cut off or away (with an instrument) > reduce by cutting away
eaveseOE
clipc1175
parec1300
forcec1440
trim1594
shrip1609
whittle1837
whittle1972
1429 Act 8 Hen. VI c. 22 Ceux qi clakkent & forcent les bones lains du roialme.]
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 170/2 Foorcyn, or clyppyn, tondeo.
1543 tr. Act 8 Hen. VI c. 22 That do clackke and force the good wolles of the realme.
1607 J. Cowell Interpreter sig. Oo4v/2 To force wooll, is to clip of the vpper and more heary part of it.
a1642 H. Best Farming & Memorandum Bks. (1984) 11 This the shepheards call forcinge of them.
1706 in Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.)
1721–90 in N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict.
Derivatives
ˈforced adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > cutting > [adjective] > cutting off or away (with an instrument) > cut off or cut with an instrument
forcedc1440
pared1440
clipped1483
well-shaven1542
chipped1562
shared1598
slit1611
snipped1611
circumcised1664
neat-cut1770
whittled1792
sliced1874
skived1875
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 170/2 Foorcyd, as mennys beerdys..capitonsus.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 170/2 Foorcyd, as wulle, tonsus.
ˈforcing n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > cutting > [noun] > cutting off or away (with an instrument)
shearingc1315
paring1319
concision1382
shaving1390
thwiting1393
forcingc1440
trousing1512
trimmingc1525
circumcision1581
snipping1583
clipping1589
snip-snap1597
trim1608
whittling1614
collinga1628
shripping1635
snippery1639
undercuttinga1652
exscindinga1677
nipping1693
snip-snapping1906
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > treating or processing textile materials > treating or processing wool > [noun] > other processes
forcing1819
breaking-in1843
blending1884
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 170/2 Foorcynge, tonsura.
1819 A. Rees Cycl. XXXII. at Sheep When the new fleece has acquired about two months' growth, the rough hairs termed fors spring up..[The ‘fors’] is separated from it [the wool] in dressing the fleece, by an operation called forsing.
force n. Shetl. dial. (see quot. 1819 for forcing n.).
ΚΠ
1819Fors [see forcing n.].
1866 T. Edmondston Etymol. Gloss. Shetland & Orkney Dial. 35 Forsens, the refuse of wool.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
† forcev.3
Obsolete.figurative.1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida ii. iii. 220 Force him with praiers poure in, poure, his ambition is drie. View more context for this quotationa1616 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida (1623) v. i. 54 Wit larded with malice, and malice forced [1609 faced] with wit.
1. = farce v.1 1.In the 15th cent. Cookery-bks. aforce is often used in the same contexts as this vb.; in some passages the sense may be ‘to strengthen’ (as by adding gravy), ‘to season, spice.’
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > preparation for table or cooking > stuffing > stuff [verb (transitive)]
to stop full1342
farcea1400
force?a1400
stuffc1430
marinate1722
bombard1747
truffle1868
?a1400 Tourn. Tott. Feast x Dongesteks in doralle Was forsed wele with charcoll.
c1450 Two Cookery-bks. ii. (1888) 117 Yiffe þou wilt haue it forced, hete milke [etc.].
a1475 Liber Cocorum (Sloane) (1862) 27 Fors hit with spicys.
1747 H. Glasse Art of Cookery ii. 18 To Force a Leg of Lamb.
2. = farce v.1 3. Also, to fatten (animals).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > animal keeping practices general > [verb (transitive)] > fatten
masteOE
fatc1386
to set up1540
fatten1552
feed1552
forcea1571
cram1577
engrease1583
to raise in flesh1608
saginate1623
to stall to1764
tallow1765
stall-feed1766
graze1787
to fat off1789
to make up1794
higglea1825
finish1841
to feed off1852
steam1947
the world > food and drink > food > providing or receiving food > feeding animals > [verb (transitive)] > fatten
masteOE
fatc1386
frankc1440
to set up1540
fatten1552
feed1552
cram1577
engrease1583
to raise in flesh1608
adipate1623
saginate1623
batten1638
to stall to1764
tallow1765
to fat off1789
to make up1794
higglea1825
finish1841
force1847
to feed off1852
steam1947
a1571 J. Jewel Serm. (1603) 227 Here wil I speak nothing of forcing and quaffinge, God keepe it farre from Christian tables.
1797 ‘English Lady’ Resid. in France I. 355 Forcing him with bons morceaux till he has an indigestion.
1847 J. O. Halliwell Dict. Archaic & Provinc. Words I Force..to fatten animals. East.
Derivatives
ˈforced adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > preparation for table or cooking > stuffing > [adjective]
farcedc1430
forced1538
bacon-farceda1657
marinated1659
stuffed1729
filled1843
c1390 in S. Pegge Forme of Cury (1780) 12 Grewel forced.
14.. Noble Bk. Cookery (Napier 1882) 88 Gruelle enforced.]
1538 T. Elyot Dict. Pulmentarium, potage made with fleshe or fyshe, as forced gruell.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. iii. 82/2 A Forced Leg of Mutton.
1709 J. Addison Tatler No. 148. ⁋3 High Soups, seasoned Sauces, and forced Meats.
ˈforcing n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > animal keeping practices general > [noun] > fattening
frank?a1400
fatting1577
sagination1607
fattening1614
forcing1790
steaming1943
1790 F. Grose Provinc. Gloss. (ed. 2) Suppl. Forcing, fattening. Norf.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
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n.11303
n.21600
n.3a1475
v.1c1330
v.2c1440v.3?a1400