| enforce | 1. To put force upon; to force; to constrain; to compel; as, to enforce obedience to commands. "Inward joy enforced my heart to smile." (Shak) 2. To make or gain by force; to obtain by force; as, to enforce a passage. "Enforcing furious way." 3. To put in motion or action by violence; to drive. "As swift as stones Enforced from the old Assyrian slings." (Shak) 4. To give force to; to strengthen; to invigorate; to urge with energy; as, to enforce arguments or requests. "Enforcing sentiment of the thrust humanity." (Burke) 5. To put in force; to cause to take effect; to give effect to; to execute with vigor; as, to enforce the laws. 6. To urge; to ply hard; to lay much stress upon. "Enforce him with his envy to the people." (Shak) Origin: OF. Enforcier to strengthen, force, F. Enforcir; pref. En- (L. In) + F. Force. See Force. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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