▪ I. force, n.1
(fɔəs)
Forms: 3–6 fors, forse, (4 foors, forze), 3– force.
[a. F. force (= Pr. forsa, forza, Sp. fuerza, Pg. for{cced}a, It. forza):—popular L. *fortia, n. of quality f. L. fortis strong.]
I. Strength, power.
† 1. a. Physical strength, might, or vigour, as an attribute of living beings (occas. of liquor). Rarely in pl. (= F. forces). Obs.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 7244 (Cott.) Thoru his fax his force was tint. c 1350 Will. Palerne 3598 Þouȝh he hade fors of foure swiche oþer. a 1400–50 Alexander 1006 And now vs failis all oure force & oure flesch waykis. 1508 Dunbar Tua mariit wemen 189 He has a forme without force. 1576 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 194 Chosen men, hugest in stature, and fullest of force. 1610 Rowlands 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 Deut. xxxiv. 7 His eye was not dimme, nor his naturall force abated. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. i. 249 Young Elms with early force in Copses bow. 1715 Pope Iliad iii. 89 Thy force, like steel, a temper'd hardness shows. 1816 Keatinge Trav. (1817) I. 245 The great hero of antiquity, in the thieving line, was eminent by his physical forces. |
† b. of force: full of strength, vigorous. Obs.
| 1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Husb. (1586) 75 The Willowes must be holpen with often waterings, that the nature of the tree may be of force [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.
| c 1380 Sir Ferumb. 3036 ‘Leggeþ on, Lordes,’ said he, ‘wiþ force & smyteþ strokes smerte.’ c 1400 Ywaine & Gaw. 2897 With hir force sho hasted so fast That sho over⁓toke him at the last. c 1430 Syr Tryam. 829 He prekyd to the kyng with fors. 1582 N. Lichefield tr. Castanheda's Conq. E. Ind. xxxiii. 80 b, And rowing with force tooke two of the Pledges. 1674 N. Cox Gentl. Recreat. i. (1677) 95 The Hounds..running with all their force. 1841 Lane Arab. Nts. I. 86 Strike the ball.. with all thy force. |
† d. to make great force: to exert oneself. to do one's force: to do one's utmost. Obs.
| c 1450 St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 6182 Forto witt he made grete force. Ibid 6904 To wirschip it he did his fors. |
2. 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.
| c 1320 Sir Beues 3405 (MS. A.) With a dent of gret fors A-bar him doun of his hors. c 1400 Ywaine & Gaw. 2452 With grete force he lete it fall. 1582 N. Lichefield tr. Castanheda's Conq. E. Ind. xxix. 73 b, The tackling..of the Shippes, with the great force of the winde, made such a terrible noyse. 1607 Rowlands Famous Hist. 35 And makes them curse that e're they felt the force of Christian blows. 1697 W. Dampier Voy. I. ix. 247 The Sea falls with such force on the shore. 1703 Moxon Mech. Exerc. 197 By the force and strength of the Wedge. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776) III. 67 They break the force of the fall. 1781 Gibbon Decl. & F. III. 80 The force of the strongest and sharpest tools had been tried without effect. 1787 Burns Fragm. Ode iii, The snowy ruin smokes along, With doubling speed and gathering force. 1812–16 J. Smith Panorama Sc. & Art I. 347 The force of a stream. 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk. s.v., Force of wind, now described by numbers, 0 being calm, 12 the heaviest gale. 1933, 1961 [see Beaufort scale]. 1963 Listener 21 Mar. 528/3 The wind is not only there, but assuming the proportions of a force-ten hurricane. |
† b. said of the violent onset of combatants in battle. Obs.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 7760 (Cott.) O þis batail þat was sa snell, Þe force a-pon þe king it fell. 1375 Barbour Bruce ii. 429 That war sa few that thai na mycht Endur the forss mar off the fycht. a 1533 Ld. Berners Huon lix. 206 The forse of the paynyms was so gret that at length they coude not abyde it. 1582 N. Lichefield tr. Castanheda's Conq. E. Ind. lxxix. 162 Heere..was all the force of the battaile. |
† c. phr. within one's force: within the range of his attack or defence. (Cf. dint n. 2 d.)
| 1680 Otway Orphan i. ii, 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. |
† d. Violence or ‘stress’ of weather. in the force of weather: exposed to the brunt of its attack. Obs.
| 1614 Raleigh Hist. World 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. c 1630 Risdon Surv. Devon §215 (1810) 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. a. Power or might (of a ruler, realm, or the like); esp. military strength or power.
| 1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 3685 Ȝyf þou any man manasse Þurghe force or power þat þou hasse. c 1330 ― Chron. (1810) 191 Þe Sarazin force doun his, Jhesu we þank þe. c 1460 Towneley Myst. (Surtees) 55 If any were..That wold my fors down felle. 1500–20 Dunbar Poems viii. 14 Quhois force all France in fame did magnifie. 1593 Shakes. 3 Hen. VI, v. i. 77 And lo, where George of Clarence sweeps along, Of force enough to bid his brother battle. 1756 Burke Vind. Nat. Soc. Wks. I. 20 In the same place where his predecessors had..wasted the force of so extensive an empire. 1796 ― Regic. Peace ii. ibid. 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.
| 1577–87 Harrison England i. xii, At this Poulruan is a tower of force. 1578 T. Nicholas Conq. W. India (1596) 102 The estate and force of the said Ships. 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. i. vii. 7 The foundation, force, and situation of the citie of Alger. 1615 G. Sandys Trav. 210 The wals neither faire nor of force. 1669 Narborough Jrnl. in Acc. Sev. Late Voy. i. (1711) 7 The Castle..hath but four Guns, and is of no force. 1697 W. Dampier Voy. I. 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 Smyth 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. |
† c. with force: with, or by the employment of, military strength or numbers. Cf. 5 b. Sometimes app. = in force (see 17). Obs.
| 1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 3366 Wyþ fors þey gun wyþ hym fyghte. c 1400 Mandeville (1839) xxvii. 279 Thei assembled hem with force, and assayleden his Castelle. c 1435 Torr. Portugal 2209 [He] sent letters on every side, With fforce theder to hye. 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VI (an. 6) 106 The Englishemen, whiche with greate force, theim received and manfully defended. Ibid. Edw. IV (an. 2) 191 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. concr. a. A body of armed men, an army. In pl. the troops or soldiers composing the fighting strength of a kingdom or of a commander in the field; also in attrib. use or in the possessive, esp. during the war of 1939–1945.
| 1375 Barbour Bruce xix. 632 We may nocht with iuperdiss Our felloune fais forss assale. 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. IV (an. 1) 13 b, The duke..seyng the force of the townes men more and more encreace. 1594 Shakes. Rich. III, v. iii. 109 Looke on my Forces with a gracious eye. 1611 Bible 1 Macc. xii. 42 When Tryphon saw that Ionathan came with so great a force. 1727 Swift Gulliver ii. vi. 149 The valour and atchievements of our forces by sea and land. 1796 Burke Corr. (1844) IV. 422 A naval force is a very unsure defence. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 575 The only standing force should be the militia. 1851 Dixon W. Penn xiv. (1872) 119 One of the leaders of the Parliamentary forces. 1874 Stubbs Const. 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 Review 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 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. |
| transf. 1841 Macaulay in Trevelyan Life (1876) II. ix. 147 The force which will be arrayed against a Bill. |
b. A body of police; the whole body of police on service in a town or district; often absol. the force = policemen collectively.
| 1851 Mayhew Lond. Labour I. 16 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 Hamerton Intell. Life vii. vi. 259 She will protect your tranquility better than a force of policemen. |
† c. ? A fort. Obs. rare—1.
| 1538 Leland Itin. (1711) III. 15 About a Myle by West of Penare is a Force nere the shore. |
d. U.S. (See quots.)
| 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. 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 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 South Dakotan (Mitchell) I. 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. 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.
| a 1340 Hampole Psalter Comm. Cant. 497 Lord .i. suffire force [vim patior]. 1382 Wyclif Gen. xix. 9 And foors thei maden [L. vim faciebant] to Loth moost hidowsly. 1413 Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton 1483) iv. xii. 63 Force is nouther ryght ne reson. 1582 N. Lichefield tr. Castanheda's Conq. E. Ind. ii. 7 b, Deeming..that those blacke men meant him no harme, nor would offer anye force. 1667 Milton P.L. i. 647 To work in close design, by fraud or guile, What force effected not. 1687 Boyle Martyrd. Theodora i. (1703) 6 Such cruel methods being apt to make the world suspect that our best argument is force. 1789 Bentham Princ. 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 phr. 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). Also, † by or with fine force, a-force fine: see fine a.3 Often implying the use of armed force or strength of numbers: cf. 3 c.
| c 1320 Seuyn Sag. (W.) 488 Par force he hadde me forht i nome. 1375 Barbour Bruce xii. 524 Mony worthy men and wicht Throu forss wes fellit in that ficht. c 1380 Sir Ferumb. 972 Þanne þay asayllede Scot Gwylmer & toke him a-force fine. 1484 Caxton Fables of æsop ii. xi, The thynge which is promysed by force & for drede is not to be hold. c 1500 Lancelot 2701 Sir gawan thar reskewit he of fors, Magre his fois. 1593 Shakes. 2 Hen. VI, i. i. 210 That Maine, which by maine force Warwick did winne. 1611 Bible John vi. 15 When Iesus therefore perceiued that they would come and take him by force, to make him a King. 1701 De Foe True-born Eng. 36 The Bad with Force they eagerly subdue. 1754 Hume Hist. Eng. (1812) I. iii. 163 One of his train..attempted to make his way by force. 1875 Jowett Plato (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 L. vi et armis. a force: a particular act or instance of unlawful violence.
| c 1480 Littleton Tenures ii. xi, Il defendera forsque tort & force [1538 transl. he..shal defend but the wrong and the force]. Ibid. ii. xii. (end), Le tenaunt..luy forstalla le voye ouesque force & armys. 1594 West 2nd Pt. Symbol. §65 Force is either simple or mixt. 1619 Dalton Country Just. 196 Also, women, and children, may commit a force. 1628 Coke On Litt. §240. 161 b, Force, vis, in the Common Law is most commonly taken in ill part, and taken for unlawful violence. 1768 Blackstone Comm. III. viii. 119 This distinction of private wrongs, into injuries with and without force. 1818 Cruise Digest (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 Tennyson E. Morris 131 It seems I broke a close with force and arms. |
† 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. Obs.
| 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) VII. 141 Godwyne..swore þat he didde nevere suche þinges, bot constreyned by þe force of kyng Harold. 1576 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 261 The monie which you sent us, uppon the force of our commaundement. 1662 Sir A. Mervyn Sp. Irish Aff. 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 Milton P.L. ix. 1173 Beyond this had bin force, And force upon free Will hath here no place. 1681 Burnet Hist. Ref. II. 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 Lond. Gaz. No. 2536/2 It was a very unfortunate Force, which the Soldiers..put upon me, to burn the Town. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. iii. 411 Nor cou'd his Kindred, nor the Kindly Force Of weeping Parents, change his fatal Course. 1707 Norris Treat. Humility v. 203 A Man can't be always upon the force, the Actor will sometimes tire. 1729 Butler Serm. xiii. 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 Mythol. I. 136 The whole is effected with a great strain and force upon history. 1805 K. White Let. 19 Dec., 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.
| c 1340 Hampole Prose Tr. 10 Þey erre with-owtten charyte and vertue and force of sawle to stand agayne all ill styrrynges. 1502 Ord. Crysten Men (W. de W. 1506) ii. viii. 106 Force is an other vertue by the whiche a man under⁓taketh to do or suffre for the loue of god these thynges stronge and harde. 1534 Whitinton Tullyes Offices i. (1540) 3 He can not be acompted a man of force that iudgeth payne and grefe to be moste mysery. 1576 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 26 Bend the powers of your spirite, and the force of your minde, that, [etc.]. 1679 Penn Addr. Prot. ii. iv. (1692) 124 What before we were Unable, this gives us Force to do. 1711 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 Trevelyan 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.
| 1582 Lyly in T. Watson's Centurie of Loue (Arb.) 29 Mine appetite of lesse force then mine affection. 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. i. ii. §4 (1873) 14 It [learning] teacheth men the force of circumstances. 1713 Addison Cato iv. ii, Let not her cries or tears have force to move you. 1751 Jortin Serm. (1771) IV. vi. 117 Such prejudices arise from the prevailing force of education. 1816 Keatinge Trav. (1817) I. 276 The force of habit is certainly very strong, and prejudices the mind throughout. 1821 Lamb Elia Ser. i. Old Benchers I.T., S. was thought..a fit person to be consulted..from force of manner entirely. 1845 Disraeli Sybil vi. iii, I never heard that moral force won the battle of Waterloo. 1890 F. W. Robinson Very strange Fam. 2 The force of circumstances had thrust me upon him. |
b. Peculiar power resident in a thing to produce special effects; virtue, efficacy.
| 1590 Shakes. Mids. N. ii. ii. 69 On whose eyes I might approue This flowers force in stirring loue. 1671 Milton P.R. i. 347 Think'st thou such force in bread? 1709 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 phr. of (great, etc.) force; † formerly also of force simply.
| 1551 T. Wilson Logike (1580) 36 This [argument] that followeth, is of as good force. 1591 Shakes. 1 Hen. VI, iii. i. 157 Those occasions, Vnckle, were of force. 1685 Baxter Paraphr. N.T. Matt. xvi. 28 Nor is Dr. H. his reason against it..of any force. 1729 Butler Serm. Pref. Wks. 1874 II. 13 The force of this conviction is felt by almost every one. 1748 J. Mason Elocut. 31 You can never convey the Force and Fulness of his Ideas to another till you feel them yourself. 1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) II. 514 The argument of long enjoyment was of no force. 1847 Grote Greece ii. l. (1862) IV. 341 In both these two reasons there is force. 1849 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.
| 1842 H. Rogers Introd. Burke's Wks. 85 The passage already quoted..is full of force and splendour. 1863 Mrs. C. Clarke Shaks. Char. vi. 152 Slender comes out in this play with extraordinary force. 1879 Cassell's Techn. Educ. IV. 24/1 The introduction of a considerable amount of black..gives great force to the pattern. |
e. Austral. and N.Z. (See quots.)
| 1933 Press (Christchurch) 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. 1960 Baker Drum 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. a. Of a law, etc.: Binding power, validity.
| 1594 Hooker Eccl. Pol. i. x. §8 Hath not his edict the force of a law? 1613 Shakes. Hen. VIII, i. ii. 101 Free pardon to each man that has denied The force of this commission. 1786 Burke W. Hastings Wks. 1842 II. 177 A country..in which the native authority had no force whatever. 1863 H. Cox Instit. i. v. 25 Proclamations which..should have the force of statutes. |
† b. of force: of binding power, valid. Obs.
| 1502 Arnolde Chron. (1811) 180 That alle lettres patentes or grauntis by you..be voyde and of noo fors. 1611 Bible Heb. ix. 17 For a Testament is of force after men are dead. 1679 Penn Addr. Prot. ii. v. (1692) 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.
| 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 Rhet. (1580) 159 By an order realmes stande, and Lawes take force. 1603 Knolles Hist. Turks 100 Without respect vnto the league yet in force. 1611 Bible 2 Esdras ix. 37 Notwithstanding the law perisheth not, but ramaineth in his force. 1724 Act in Lond. Gaz. No. 6270/7 The Officer..is..to limit the Time..for such Permit..to continue in Force. 1847 L. Hunt Jar Honey (1848) 190 In the south this ancient custom still remains in full force. 1856 Knight Pop. Hist. Eng. I. xvii. 234 He engaged to put in force the laws of Edward the Confessor. 1891 Matthews in Law Times XCII. 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.
| 1555 Bonner Profit. Doctr. M iij, Thyrde is to be considered, the vertue, force, and effecte of the sayd Sacrament. 1690 Locke Govt. i. v. §44 We will..consider the Force of the Text in hand. 1709 Steele Tatler No. 58 ¶2 The Examination of the Force of the Particle For. 1732 Berkeley Alciphr. vii. §5, I comprehend the force and meaning of this proposition. 1741 Chambers Cycl. s.v., In our language the s between two vowels has the Force or power of a z..An unite before a cypher has the Force of ten. 1756 Burke Subl. & B. iii. §2 Several who make use of that word [proportion], do not always seem to understand very clearly the force of the term. 1767 Blackstone Comm. 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. 13.. (cf. F. force gens and the like). most force: the greater part (obs.). b. a force: a large number or quantity, a great deal. the force: ? the majority. Obs. exc. dial.
| 13.. Coer de L. 1383 Two hundred schyppys ben wel vytailid With force hawberks, swerdes and knyvys. 1375 Barbour Bruce viii. 11 The men mast fors com till his pess. 1461 Liber Pluscard. xi. xi. (1877) 397 Of thi detturis maist force ar lukkin in clay. c 1570 Satir. Poems Reform. xlv. 969 The vther having force of freindis. 1722 De Foe Col. Jack (1840) 255 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 Whitby Gloss., ‘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 mod. scientific uses of L. 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.
| 1665 Salusbury tr. Galileus' Mech. 294 It will..be better, the Force that moveth the Weight upwards perpendicularly..being given, to seek the Force that moveth it along the Elevated Plane. 1686 Newton Let. 20 June in Brewster Life I. 440 In one of my papers..above fifteen years ago, the proportion of the forces of the planets from the sun, reciprocally duplicate of their distances from him, is expressed. 1803 J. Wood Princ. Mech. i. 15 Whatever changes, or tends to change, the state of rest or uniform rectilinear motion of a body, is called force. 1866 Argyll Reign Law ii. (ed. 4) 72 All the particles of matter exert an attractive force upon each other. 1871 B. Stewart Heat §21 The force of gravity..is somewhat greater in London than at Paris. 1876 Tait Force in Rec. Adv. Phys. Sc. (1885) 357 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 Leibnitz called vis viva, now known as kinetic energy, and often extended to include potential energy: see energy 6. conservation of force: see conservation.
| 1841 Penny Cycl. XXI. 307/1 The high tide at Chepstow is accounted for on ‘the principle of the conservation of force’. 1870 Jevons Elem. 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 11 c is no longer recognized as belonging to the technical language of physics.
| [1732 Berkeley Alciphr. vii. §9 Force is that in bodies which produces motion and other sensible effects.] 1842–3 Grove Corr. Phys. Forces (1846) 8, I therefore use the term Force..as meaning that active principle inseparable from matter which induces its various changes. Ibid. 21 If Heat be a force capable of producing motion, and motion be capable of producing the other modes of force. 1851 Carpenter Man. Phys. (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. transf. and fig. An agency, influence, or source of power likened to a physical force.
| 1785 Wilkins Bhagvat iii. 49 He was impelled by some secret force. 1868 Nettleship Browning i. 18 The passion..whose existence as a force in the world..he recognises. 1891 Law Times XC. 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. Obs.
| 1596 Harington Metam. Ajax (1814) 9 You may with a force of twenty shillings, and a pipe of eighteen pence the yard, force it from the lowest part of your house to the highest. 1659 J. Leak Waterwks. 34 This manner of force-Pump..the forces do Rise and Fall Perpendicularly in their Barrels. 1747 Hooson Miner's Dict., Force, a kind of Pump often used in the Mines, that throws the Water a good height..'tis now worn out of Vse. |
13. The upper die in a metal-stamping machine.
| 1879 Cassell's Techn. Educ. IV. 263/2 The final strokes are given by a ‘force’ cast in brass. 1886 Jrnl. Franklin Inst. CXXII. 327 The upper die was the cameo, technically the male die, punch or ‘force’. |
14. Card-playing. An act of forcing.
| 1862 ‘Cavendish’ 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.); a ‘screw-back’. U.S.
| 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.)
| 1662 [see 5 d above.] 1890 J. M. Heathcote Tennis 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. Ibid. 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).
16. by force of: by dint of, by virtue of; by means of (properly with the implication of strength inherent in the means). Also (later), by the force of. [F. à force de.]
| 1411 Rolls of Parlt. III. 650/2 The forsaid Archebisshop, and Chamberleyn..by force of the submission that the said Robert in hem hath maad, haven ordeyned. c 1450 Merlin 27 Thei can knowe many thinges be force of clergie that we can no skyll on. 1512 Act 4 Hen. VIII, c. 10 Fynes..levyed..by reason or force of the same Indentures. 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. i. ii. 2 The ankers being weied, by force of oares [à force de rames] we went to the yle of If. 1611 Bible 2 Macc. x. 24 Timotheus..came as though hee would take Iewrie by force of armes. 1633 G. Herbert Temple, Priesthood iii, By cunning hand And force of fire, what curious things are made. 1639 Fuller Holy War iv. xii. (1640) 188 Two hundred and fourty Gentlemen of note died by force of the infection. 1697 C'tess D'Aunoy's Trav. (1706) 32 Don Lewis was no sooner come to himself, by the force of Remidies. 1756 Burke Subl. & B. iii. §2 It is not by the force of long attention and inquiry 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 8 c). b. Mil. Of a host, enemy, etc.: (Collected) in great military strength and large numbers (cf. sense 3). Also, in great force. [Fr. en force.]
| c 1315 Shoreham 156 Ryȝt develen for screawedhede Ever ine force scholle brede. 1793 Burke Rem. Pol. Allies Wks. VII. 119 When the army of some sovereign enters into the enemy's country in great force. 1810 C. James Milit. Dict. (ed. 3) s.v. Force, As the enemy were in force behind the mountains. 1836 Alison Europe (1849) V. xxxi. §12. 306 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 (usu. in great force): In full command of one's powers, energies, or abilities; esp. Displaying readiness and vivacity in conversation or oratory (colloq.).
| 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 Carlyle Sterling ii. vii. (1872) 142 Latterly Calvert was better..He was in force again. 1857 Sir A. H. Elton Below Surface vi. (1860) 60 Sir Eliot Prichard, quite at his ease, and in high force. 1857 Ld. Houghton in Life (1891) II. xii. 18 M. Guizot is in great force, and full of political and literary gossip. |
† 18. of force: with inf., strong or powerful enough, able to do something. Cf. 1 b, 3 b, 7 c, 8 b.
| 1598 Gerarde Herball ii. iv. 182 Lyons Turnep is of force to digest. 1613 Sir J. Hayward Lives 3 Normans 90 After his death, the inhabitants were of force to expell the strangers. 1632 Sir R. Le Grys tr. Vell. Paterc. Ep. Ded. A 3 b, I did not beleeve there had beene any power..of force to make me [etc.]. 1677 N. Cox Gentlem. Recr. (ed. 2) i. 95 Young Hares are neither of force nor capacity to use such subtleties. |
† 19. a. of (or on) force: of necessity, on compulsion, whether one will or no, unavoidably, necessarily, perforce. (Cf. perforce, † afforce.) Also, of fine force (see fine a. 3), of very force. Obs.
| c 1400 Rom. Rose 1796 In wele and wo Of force togidre they must go. 1508 Dunbar Poems iv. 95 On forse I man his nyxt pray be. 1587 Turberv. Trag. T. Hist. iv, There laye he close in wayte within the cops whereas Full well he knew that Guardastan of very force must passe. 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. ii. v. §2 (1873) 106 Their inquiries must of force have been of a far other kind than they are. a 1645 Heywood & Rowley Fort. by Land ii. Wks. 1874 VI. 381 Since you must hire one on force, as good him as another. 1703 Rowe Ulysses iv. i. 1477 You must of Force delay it. |
† b. it is (of) force: it is necessary or inevitable. Const. that.., or (for a person) to do. Obs.
| 1483 Caxton Cato F iv, It was force that he shold retourne into the worlde. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. II. 566 For euirilk falt quhilk force is to fulfill. 1563 Winzet Cert. Tractates (1890) II. 60 Gif we sal begin to mixt noueltie with antiquitie..force it is that this maner spring vp vniuersalie. c 1565 Lindesay (Pitscottie) Chron. Scot. 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? |
† 20. a. it is force: it is of consequence or importance; usu. 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 OF.] Obs.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 13044 (Cott.) Of hir nam es na force to tell. c 1340 Ibid. 20683 (Trin.), I shal ȝou telle for hit is fors where þenne bicome hir cors. c 1369 Chaucer Dethe Blaunche 522 ‘A! goode sir, no fors’ quod I. c 1386 ― Merch. T. 591 It is no fors how longe that we pleye. a 1400–50 Alexander 471 Þofe þou haue forfet, na force, so has fele othire. a 1450 Knt. de la Tour (1868) 33 He is but a tromper and a iaper, no fors, late us sende for hym. 1450–1530 Myrr. our Ladye 325 Trino or terno, no force whether. 1494 Fabyan Chron. vii. 575 What force, though sathan..Do hym rewarde? 1540 Sir R. Sadler in St. Papers (1809) I. 25 ‘Well’, quoth he, ‘it is no force’. 1551 Recorde Pathw. Knowl. i. xxvi, Parte that arche line into two partes, equall other vnequall, it maketh no force. 1581 T. Howell Deuises (1879) 210 Imbrace the good, as for the rest, no force how they thee take. 1612 J. Davies Muses Sacrif. etc. (Grosart) 82/2 She neuer yet so much as smiled on me; No force, sith I my selfe the better know. 1669 Sturmy Mariner's Mag. i. 19 They are Dutch Colours: no force, the worst of Enemies. |
† b. Const. of or for (a thing) = it does not matter about, no need to care for. Obs.
| c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 20 Of his body was no force, non for him wild murne. c 1374 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 More Dyaloge i. Wks. 131/2 It was of lyklyhode the same night, or some other time sone after..No force for the time quod he. 1578 Whetstone Promos & Cass. i. ii. iv, No force for that, each shyft for one. |
† 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 infin. or dependent clause, and absol. Obs.
| 1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 10286 Lytel fors of hym þou ȝyues. c 1325 Metr. Hom. 43 Elles forze wald he nan mak Quether his clething war quit or blac. 1350 Will. Palerne 3651 Of here fon no fors þei ne leten. c 1369 Chaucer Dethe Blaunche 542 ‘I do no fors therof’ quod he. c 1430 Lydgate Min. Poems 160 Som yeve no fors for to be forsworn. c 1450 St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 5392 Monkes hors to gest he had na fors In a hyrne of his Innes. 1470–85 Malory 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 Barclay Shyp Folys (1874) I. 173 Thou ought to be asshamyd To set so great fors for sylver or for golde. 1523 Ld. Berners Froissart (1812) I. 770 Sir Hugh Caurell made no force at his wordes. Ibid. I. 419 With the whiche the prince was sore displeased, and set lesse force in y⊇ men of the churche, in whom before he hadde great trust. 1581 J. Bell Haddon's Answ. Osorius 512 b, I make no force whether any medicine be applied. 1664 Floddan Field iii. 26 And of their lives took little force. |
† 22. 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. Obs.
[Cf. OF. courir les cerfs a force (15th c. in Littré; F. par force remains in Ger. parforcejagd, the ordinary term for a formal ‘hunt’ in the English sense.]
| 1575 Laneham Let. (1871) 13 Too ryde foorth into the Chase too hunt the Hart of fors. 1576 Turberv. Venerie i. 3 In hunting the Raynedeare at force. 1637 B. Jonson Sad Sheph. i. vi, Rob. And hunted yee at force? Mar. In a full cry. 1674 N. Cox Gentl. Recreat. i. (1677) 45 If..you should run him at force out of a Toil. Ibid. 55 The King of Poland makes use of them in his hunting of great Beasts by force. |
† b. to make force at, to, upon: to rush violently at, attack, assail. Obs.
| 1607 Topsell Four-f. Beasts 145 The dog..made force vpon him, and the Lyon likewise at the Dogge. Ibid. 158 Vpon signs giuen them to which of the stragling beastes they ought to make force. 1674 N. Cox Gentl. Recreat. i. (1677) 62 Their manner is..to make force at him with their Horns. |
IV. 23. Comb. (? of the n. or the verb-stem): force cup, a rubber cup attached to a handle which by creating a vacuum in a blocked drain is used to clear it; force(-)field, a field of force (see field n. 17); esp. in Science Fiction, one that acts as an invisible barrier; force-land v. (see forced ppl. a. 2 d); force-out, in Baseball, the obligatory retirement of a base runner at the base he is forced to run to by a following base runner; force-piece (see quot.); force-pipe, the pipe of a force-pump in which the piston works. Also force-pump.
| 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 Domestic 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. |
| 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. LIV. 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. |
| 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 C 2/4 Wills..took third on Gene Alley's single and scored on Roberto Clemente's force out. |
| 1882 Ogilvie, Force-piece in mining, a piece of timber placed in a level shaft to keep the ground open. |
| 1842 Gwilt Encycl. Archit. §2222 When the height of the force pipe is greater or less than the length of the suction pipe. |
▪ II. force, n.2 local.
(fɔəs)
Also foss.
[a. ON. fors (Sw. fors, Da. fos).]
A name in the north of England for a waterfall or cascade.
| 1600 Camden Brit. 686 marg., (Westmorland) Catadupæ, The Forses. 1658 Phillips, Forses, water-falls. 1769 Gray Let. 18 Oct. in Poems (1775) 369 After dinner I went..to see the falls, or force, of the river Kent. 1788 W. Marshall Yorksh. (1796) II. 320 Foss..a waterfall. 1813 Scott Trierm. iii. viii, Shingle and Scrae, and Fell and Force. 1839 Bailey Festus xix. (1848) 221 Like to a foaming force. |
▪ III. † force, n.3 Obs.
[f. force v.3]
Only in gruel of force = ‘gruel forced, afforced’ (see force v.3).
| c 1420 Liber Cocorum (1862) 47. |
▪ IV. force, v.1
(fɔəs)
Forms: see the n.
[a. Fr. forcer, f. force force n.]
I. To apply force.
1. trans. To use violence to; to violate, ravish (a woman).
| a 1300 Cursor M. 1577 (Cott.) Wimmen þai forced a-mang þaim. ? a 1400 Morte Arth. 978 He has forsede hir and fylede. 1483 Caxton G. de la Tour lviii. E vij b, She saide to her lord that he wolde haue forced her. 1530 Palsgr. 349 The abbesse sawe that for her beaute she shulde be forced. c 1620 Z. Boyd Zion's Flowers (1855) 143 To force a maide, it sure will blot your name. 1701 Swift Cont. Nobles & Com. Wks. 1755 II. i. 10 One of them proceeding so far, as to endeavour to force a lady of great virtue. 1871 H. King Ovid's Met. iv. 290 ‘Let Himself’, she cried, ‘Confess, he forced me!’ |
† 2. To press hard upon (in battle). Obs.
| c 1330 Arth. & Merl. 8951 Thai..forced hem with mani dent hard, What thai come to king Riones standard. c 1400 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. Fr. forcer la main à quelqu'un.
| c 1400 Destr. Troy 1924 His fader vs forset with his fowle wille. 1551 T. Wilson Logike (1580) 16 Neither can any Lawe bee able, violently to force the inwarde thought of man. 1574 Hellowes Gueuara's Fam. Ep. 64 To demand more tribute, to force thy people, to forget mee thy friend. 1593 Shakes. 3 Hen. VI, i. i. 230 Art thou King, and wilt be forc't? 1602 Marston Antonio's Rev. iv. v, Hee whose great heart Heaven can not force with force. 1697 Dryden æneid vii. 808 To Force their Monarch, and insult the Court. 1764 Goldsm. Trav. 168 Where the black Swiss..force a churlish soil for scanty bread. 1827 Wordsw. Persecut. Scot. Covenanters, Who would force the Soul, tilts with a straw Against a Champion cased in adamant. 1860 Motley Netherl. (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.
| 1662 Stillingfl. Orig. Sacr. iii. ii. §2 Without forcing the words of Moses into such a sense. 1701 Swift Cont. Nobles & Com. Wks. 1755 II. i. 43, I am not conscious, that I have forced one example. 1875 E. White Life in Christ iv. xxiv. (1878) 381 This is manifestly to force the Scripture. |
c. Card-playing, 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.
| 1746 Hoyle Whist (ed. 6) 25 Your strong Suit forces their best Trumps. Ibid. 68 Forcing, Means the obliging your Partner or your Adversary to trump a suit of which he has none. 1862 Cavendish Whist (1870) 28 To force or to give a force is to lead a forcing card. Ibid. (1879) 111 If..a good partner refrains from forcing you, you may be sure he is weak. 1878 H. H. Gibbs Ombre 16 Manille when led will necessarily force Basto if the latter be the other player's only trump. |
d. intr. Austral. and N.Z. Of a sheep-dog: to move sheep. Cf. force n.1 7 e.
| 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. 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).
| c 1400 Destr. Troy 6823 Þe grekes..were forsit to þe fight. Ibid. 9965 Þai spake to þe kyng, For to force hym to fight, & his feris help. c 1425 Wyntoun Cron. viii. xxxvii. 164 Fortown forsyd hyr to be fa. 1530 Palsgr. 555/1, I force, I constrayne one to do a thyng. c 1592 Marlowe Jew of Malta iii. i, Which forc'd their hands divide united hearts. 1592 Shakes. Ven. & Ad. 61 Forst to content, but neuer to obey, Panting he lies. 1652–62 Heylin Cosmogr. iii. (1673) 82/1 Who..being forced for to forsake their Country, came and settled here. 1673 R. Haddock Jrnl. in Camden Misc. (1881) 25 The wind..forct us strick our yard. 1770 Junius Lett. xli. 218 Your fears have..forced you to resign. 1803 Med. Jrnl. X. 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 Ess. (1889) I. 4 When men are forced into daily and hourly action in matters where they cannot be indifferent spectators. 1867 Smiles Huguenots Eng. vii. (1880) 121 Many of the fugitives..appear to have been forced to attend Mass. 1874 Green Short Hist. ii. §8 Every knight was forced to arm himself with coat of mail. |
b. pass. (of a thing) to be forced to be, etc.: to be of necessity. Now colloq. or vulgar.
| 1691 T. H[ale] Acc. New Invent. 47 The Rudder-Irons being eaten by the Rust, were forced to be shifted. Ibid. 49 The Lead was forced to be cut away in many places. |
† c. ellipt. (= force to believe) To convince. Obs.
| 1581 Sidney Astr. & Stella viii, Forct, by a tedious proofe, that Turkish hardned hart Is not fit marke. |
5. a. To urge, compel to violent effort; † to exert (one's strength) to the utmost. spec. in Cricket.
to force the pace or force 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 in Cricket: Of a batsman: 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.
| 1697 Dryden æneid vi. 487 High on a Mounting Wave, my head I bore, Forcing my Strength, and gath'ring to the Shore. 1825 Danneley Encycl. Mus. s.v. Force, When..the instrument or voice is forced, sound becomes noise..To Force the voice, is to exceed its diapason and natural strength. 1897 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 County 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. |
† b. refl. and intr. To do one's utmost endeavour, strive. Obs.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 18089 (Cott.) And forces yow wit might and main Stalworthli to stand a-gain. c 1340 Hampole Prose Tr. 6 Sothely fra þat tym furthe I forced me for to luf Jhesu. 1382 Wyclif Ecclus. xxix. 19 He that forseth manye thingus to do, shall fallen in to dom. a 1400–50 Alexander 2659 Þof he hym forsyd hafe The charge of hys chiftane chefely to fylle. 1579 Spenser Sheph. Cal. Apr. 24 Forcing with gyfts to winne his wanton heart. 1596 ― F.Q. v. vi. 11 Forcing in vaine the rest to her to tell. |
6. To overpower by force. 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.
| 1581 Savile Tacitus' Hist. ii. ix. (1591) 58 By whose per swasion his shippe was forced and taken. 1608 Golding Epit. Frossard i. 10 At length the Citie..was forced by assault. 1695 Blackmore Pr. Arth. iv. 517 The Invading Saxon forc'd our Lines. 1810 Wellington in Gurw. Desp. VII. 56, I have no doubt, the enemy is not..able to force the position of the allies in this country. 1825 T. Jefferson Autobiog. Wks. 1859 I. 98 The people..forced the prison of Saint Lazare. 1839 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. |
| transf. 1627 May Lucan ii. 463 Vntill The sea diuided him, and water forc'd The land. 1821 Clare Vill. Minstr. I. 136 Stopping up the mimic rills, Till they forc'd their frothy bound. |
b. To break open (a gate, etc.); to break (a lock); † to pierce (armour). Also to force open.
| 1623 Bingham Xenophon, Lipsius' Compar. 4 The Parthian Arrows forced all kinde of Armor. a 1639 Spottiswood Hist. Ch. Scot. iv. (1677) 188 The Citizens..being denied entry, forces the gates. 1781 Gibbon Decl. & F. III. 236 The..dwelling..was forced open by one of the powerful Goths. 1834 Medwin Angler in Wales II. 57 Having no means of forcing the gate. 1849 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. |
† c. To compel to give way or yield; to overpower (troops, a guard). Obs.
| a 1641 Bp. R. Montagu Acts & Mon. (1642) 246 He..dis⁓lodged, forced, apprehended many of them. 1718 Col. Rec. Pennsylv. III. 51 And fforced two of their men. 1781 Gibbon Decl. & F. 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. a. To drive by force, propel against resistance, impel. Chiefly const. with prep., or with advbs.
| 1582 N. Lichefield tr. Castanheda's Conq. E. Ind. 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 Bate Myst. Nat. & Art. i. 17 Another manner of forcing water. a 1691 Boyle 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. Fryke's Voy. E. Ind. 298 Those that delight in Hunting, may find great quantities of Beasts forced up into the Mountains at that time. 1704 Addison Italy 4 We were forc'd by contrary Winds into St. Remo. a 1732 T. Boston Crook in Lot (1805) 115 When ye work against him, to force up your condition. 1818 M. G. Lewis Jrnl. W. Ind. (1834) 299 At least three inches of the blade were forced into his right side. 1849 James Woodman i, Through which the stream seemed to have forced itself. 1878 Browning La Saisiaz 59 Idle hopes that lure man onward, forced back by as idle fears. |
| absol. 1588 Greene Pandosto (1607) A iv b, Where fancy forced friendship was of no force. |
b. to force down: to compel (an aircraft) to land.
| 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. intr. To make one's way by force. Also with in, out, up. Now rare.
| 1653 Holcroft Procopius ii. 46 The Marriners rowed, and with much toyle forced up. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. iii. 426 For Love they force thro' Thickets. 1707 Lond. Gaz. No. 4380/3 The Firebrand..drove off, and forc'd in under a Fore-Course for the Light of St. Agnes. 1713 J. Warder True Amazons 150 When you feel them..ready to force out of your Hand. 1791 E. Inchbald Simp. Story III. xii. 178 You have dared to visit her—to force into her presence and shock her. 1853 Kane Grinnell. Exp. xliv. (1856) 406 We gradually force ahead, breasting aside the floes. |
b. Real Tennis. To use the force stroke (see prec. 15 b).
| 1890 J. M. Heathcote Tennis 52 It is impossible to force as severely, difficult to force as accurately, with a back-hand as with a fore-hand stroke. |
9. trans. 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.
| 1601 Shakes. Twel. N. iii. i. 127 To force that on you..Which you knew none of yours. 1683 A. D. Art Converse 30 This barbarous custom of forcing drink upon men. 1709 Swift Adv. Relig. Wks. 1755 II. i. 106 New men, whose narrow fortunes have forced them upon industry and application. 1751 Jortin Serm. (1771) II. iii. 43 An observation which will force itself upon you. a 1848 R. W. Hamilton Rew. & Punishm. viii. (1853) 383 The warfare is forced upon us. 1856 De Quincey Confess. 238 Nervous irritation forced me..upon frightful excesses; but terror from anomalous symptoms sooner or later forced me back. Ibid. 269 The..riotous prodigality of life naturally forces the mind more powerfully upon the antagonist thought of death. 1872 J. L. Sanford Estim. Eng. Kings, Chas. 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. |
† b. To lay stress upon, press home, urge. Obs. Also, To enforce (a law, etc.).
| 1580 H. Gifford Gilloflowers (1875) 87 But will that stately Dame, Still bad me write, not forcing any blame? 1603 Shakes. Meas. for M. iii. i. 110 Has he affections in him That thus can make him bite the Law by th' nose, When he would force it? 1607 Drayton Cromwell ii. in Mirr. Mag. (1610) 520 Forcing my good, excusing of my ill. |
c. In Conjuring with cards (see quot. 1888).
| 1880 Browning Dram. Idylls Ser. ii. Clive 116 You forced a card and cheated! 1888 Kunard 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. Ibid. 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, force one's way. lit. and fig.
| 1551 T. Wilson Logike (1580) 42 b, Yet are thei not any cause to force the effect. 1593 Shakes. Lucr. 689 This forced league doth force a further strife. 1640 Habington Edw. IV, 35 The Nobility in generall lookt discontented, or else but forc'd a smile. 1651 Hobbes Leviath. xxix. 173 A..strong endeavour of the Heart, to force a passage for the Bloud. 1680 Otway Orphan ii. i. 413 What man of sense would..force a grave starch't face When he's a very Libertine in 's heart? 1693 Congreve Old Bach. i. iv, I don't force appetite, but wait the natural call of my lust. 1697 W. Dampier Voy. I. i. 6 We should..force our way through their Country. 1711 Shaftesbury Charac. Misc. ii. i. (1737) III. 46 If these Dealers are numerous, they will force a Trade. 1790 C. M. Graham Lett. Educ. 30 Hearers, who could hardly force such a seeming attention as is consistent with common politeness. c 1802 C. James Milit. Dict., To force a passage, to oblige your enemy to retire..and thus open a way into the country which he had occupied. 1809 Roland Fencing 81 You may..force a favourable opportunity to deliver the thrust you had thus premeditated. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) III. 416 These studies force their way by their natural charm. |
11. To obtain or take by force; to win by violence; to draw forth (lit. and fig.) as a necessary consequence; to extort, elicit. Also, to force away, out.
| 1602 Marston Antonio's Rev. i. ii, A modest eye forceth affection. Ibid. iv. iii, What I here speake is forced from my lips By the pulsive straine of conscience. 1655 Stanley Hist. Philos. i. (1701) 46/2 Cleobulus..and Periander..forced a reputation. 1676 Hobbes Iliad i. 375 His Officers from me have forc't my prey. 1697 Dryden æneid x. 538 It stuck so fast..That scarce the Victor forc'd the Steel away. 1703 Pope Thebais 301 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 De Foe Crusoe i. iv, This forced tears from my eyes. 1723 Atterbury Answ. Consid. Spirit M. Luther 65 The Heat of the Dispute had forc'd out from him Expressions that seem'd to make his Doctrine run higher than really it did. 1818 Jas. Mill Brit. India II. v. ix. 715 Means..were employed to force out the real state of the facts. 1818 M. G. Lewis Jrnl. W. Ind. (1834) 56 Somebody..had endeavoured to force it [a medal] away. 1845 M. Pattison Ess. (1889) I. 14 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 intr. for refl.
| 1719 London & Wise Compl. Gard. 304 We force Sorrel and wild Endive. 1823 New Monthly Mag. IX. 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 Brande Dict. Sc. etc. s.v. Forcing, Cherries having been forced..from the time of Charles II. Mod. A premature scholar forced in a so-called ‘preparatory’ school. |
II. To give, add, have force.
† 13. a. To give force or strength to; to strengthen, reinforce; also, to fortify, garrison (a place), to man (fortifications). Obs.
| c 1430 Lydg. Bochas i. ix. (1544) 20 a, Polinices to forcen his partie Ywedded had the kinges doughter dere. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. (1858) I. 13 Syne forcit it [the stronghold] with fowseis..And dowbill dykes. 1560 Rolland Crt. Venus ii. 847 With stark draw brig, weil forcit with fortalice. 1605 Shakes. Macb. v. v. 5 Were they not forc'd with those that should be ours, We might haue..beate them backward home. a 1618 Raleigh Apol. (1650) 28 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. Durham III. 175 The ground..appears to have been forced, and is trenched round. 1810 C. James Milit. Dict. (ed. 3), To force, to man the works of a garrison. |
† b. To fine (wine) by a short process. Obs.
| 1731–3 P. Shaw Chem. Lect. (1755) 208 These are the common Methods of Forcing at present used in the Wine-Business. 1802 Willich Dom. Encycl. II, 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. |
† 14. Chiefly in negative sentences: a. (a) trans. To attach force or importance to; to care for, regard; often with a strengthening phrase, as a bean, a pin, a straw. Obs.
| c 1400 Destr. Troy 1929 We fors not his frendship, ne fere of his hate. 1509 Barclay Shyp of Folys 71 a, They forse no thynge so they may money wyn. 1587 Turberv. Epit. & Sonn. (1837) 394 Force nat the face, regard nat feature so. 1593 Shakes. Lucr. 1021, I force not argument a straw. 1606 J. Raynolds Dolarney's Prim. (1880) 92 They feare not death, they force him not a pin. 1614 C. Brooke Poems (Grosart) Rich. III, 50, I forst no public wrack..So I might rule. |
† (b) with a sentence as obj. Obs.
| 1500–20 Dunbar Poems lviii. 22 Thay fors bot litill how it fure. 1568 Jacob & Esau ii. ii, I force not what it were, so that I had to eate. 1580 H. Gifford Gilloflowers (Grosart) 98 Let them speak and spare not, I force not a beane. 1611 Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. ix. xx. (1632) 985 They forced not what part they tooke so that they might bee reuenged. |
† (c) with inf. as obj. To care to, think it of consequence, or worth while to. Also, to hesitate, scruple. Obs.
| 1509 Barclay Shyp of Folys 170 b, To theyr company none forsyth to resort. 1546 Bale Eng. Votaries i. (1550) 60 b, He forced not to be perjured. 1563 Homilies ii. Right Use of Church ii. (1859) 163 Another..forceth not to hear the common prayer of the minister. 1588 Shakes. L.L.L. v. ii. 440 Your oath once broke, you force not to forsweare. 1591 Harington Orl. Fur. i. lxix, His name I will not force To tell, sith you desire to know the same. |
† b. intr. To trouble oneself, be concerned, care. Const. for, of, rarely on. Obs.
| 1471 Ripley Comp. Alch. v. xxxv. in Ashm. (1652) 156 He forsyth lyttyll of other menys losse. 1513 More in Grafton Chron. (1568) II. 785 The Fryer forced for no shame. 1547 Recorde Judic. Ur. 2, I force nott though he doubt also of my truth in the same. 1548 Hall Chron. Hen. VIII an. 22 (1809) 774 He [Wolsey] forced litle on Simony. 1573 New Custom ii. iii, I force not I, so the vyllaine were dead. 1605 Camden Rem. Wise Sp. 190 The Duke answered: I force not of such fooleries. |
† 15. impers. or quasi-impers. To be of force, importance, or weight; to matter, signify. Obs.
| a 1400–50 Alexander 2001 Þen how fele be att þe flote, it forcez bot lityll. 1553 T. Wilson Rhet. (1580) 75 What forceth when we die. 1603 Owen Pembrokesh. (1891) 150 Whose soever they be yt forceth not. |
▪ V. † force, v.2 Obs.
[ad. AF. forcer, f. forces fem. pl.:—L. forfices, forfex clipping-shears.]
trans. To clip or shear (wool, the beard); esp. to clip off the upper and more hairy part of (wool).
| [1429 Act 8 Hen. VI, c. 22 Ceux qi clakkent & forcent les bones lains du roialme.] c 1440 Promp. Parv. 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 Cowell Interpr. s.v. Clack, To force wooll is to clip of the vpper and more heary part of it. 1641 Best Farm. Bks. (Surtees) 9 This the shepheardes call forcinge of them. 1706 in Phillips. 1721–90 in Bailey. |
Hence ˈforced ppl. a.; ˈforcing vbl. n. Also force n. Shetl. dial. (see quot. 1819).
| c 1440 Promp. Parv. 170/2 Foorcyd, as mennys beerdys..capitonsus. Ibid., Foorcyd, as wulle, tonsus. Ibid., Foorcynge, tonsura. 1819 Rees Cycl. XXXII. s.v. 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. 1866 Edmondston Shetl. Gloss., Forsens, the refuse of wool. |
▪ VI. † force, v.3 Obs.
[Alteration of farce v.1, by confusion with force v.1]
1. = farce v.1 1.
In the 15th c. 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.’
| ? a 1400 Tourn. Tott. Feast x, Dongesteks in doralle Was forsed wele with charcoll. c 1420 Liber Cocorum (1862) 27 Fors hit with spicys. c 1450 Two Cookery-bks. ii. (1888) 117 Yiffe þou wilt haue it forced, hete milke [etc.]. 1747 H. Glasse Cookery 18 To Force a Leg of Lamb. |
| fig. 1606 Shakes. Tr. & Cr. ii. iii. 232 Force him with praises, poure in, poure in, his ambition is dry. Ibid. v. i. 64 Wit..larded with malice and malice forced with wit. |
2. = farce v.1 3. Also, to fatten (animals).
| a 1571 Jewel Serm. (1603) 227 Here wil I speak nothing of forcing and quaffinge, God keepe it farre from Christian tables. 1793 Residence in France (1797) I. 355 Forcing him with bons morceaux till he has an indigestion. 1847 Halliwell, Force..to fatten animals. East. |
Hence ˈforced ppl. a.; ˈforcing vbl. n.
| [c 1390 in S. Pegge Forme of Cury (1780) 12 Grewel forced. 14.. Noble Bk. Cookery (Napier 1882) 88 Gruelle enforced.] 1538 Eliot, Pulmentarium, potage made with fleshe or fyshe, as forced gruell. 1688 R. Holme Armoury iii. iii. 82/2 A Forced Leg of Mutton. 1709 Addison Tatler No. 148 ¶3 High Soups, seasoned Sauces, and forced Meats. 1790 Grose Provinc. Gloss. (ed. 2) Suppl., Forcing, fattening. Norf. |