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FORCE, f[=o]rs, _n._ strength, power, energy: efficacy: validity:
influence: vehemence: violence: coercion or compulsion: military or naval
strength (often in _pl._): an armament: (_mech._) any cause which changes
the direction or speed of the motion of a portion of matter.--_v.t._ to
draw or push by main strength: to compel: to constrain: to compel by
strength of evidence: to take by violence: to ravish: (_hort._) to cause to
grow or ripen rapidly: to compel one's partner at whist to trump a trick by
leading a card of a suit of which he has none: to make a player play so as
to reveal the strength of his hand.--_v.i._ to strive: to hesitate.--_p._
and _adj._ FORCED, accomplished by great effort, as a forced march:
strained, excessive, unnatural.--_n._ FORC'EDNESS, the state of being
forced: distortion.--_adj._ FORCE'FUL, full of force or might: driven or
acting with power: impetuous.--_adv._ FORCE'FULLY.--_adj._ FORCE'LESS,
weak.--_ns._ FORCE'-PUMP, FORC'ING-PUMP, a pump which delivers the water
under pressure through a side-pipe; FORC'ER, the person or thing that
forces, esp. the piston of a force-pump.--_adj._ FORC'IBLE, active:
impetuous: done by force: efficacious: impressive.--_adj._ and _n._
FORC'IBLE-FEE'BLE, striving to look strong while really weak.--_n._
FORC'IBLENESS.--_adv._ FORC'IBLY.--_ns._ FORC'ING (_hort._), the art of
hastening the growth of plants; FORC'ING-HOUSE, a hothouse for forcing
plants; FORC'ING-PIT, a frame sunk in the ground over a hotbed for forcing
plants.--FORCE AND FEAR (_Scot._), that amount of constraint or compulsion
which is enough to annul an engagement or obligation entered into under its
influence; FORCE THE PACE, to keep the speed up to a high pitch by
emulation with one not competing for a place: to hasten unduly, or by any
expedient; FORCIBLE DETAINER, and ENTRY, detaining property or forcing an
entry into it by violence or intimidation. [Fr.,--Low L., _fortia_--L.
_fortis_, strong.]