coactive, a.
(kəʊˈæktɪv)
[f. L. type *coactīv-us, f. coact- + -ive. F. has coactif, -ive, in 14th c.]
1. Of the nature of force or compulsion; coercive, compulsory. (Qualifying power or the like; never persons. Frequent in 17th c.; now rare.)
| 1605 T. Bell Motives conc. Romish Faith 2 The Pope hath no power coactiue ouer any King. 1642 Jer. Taylor Episc. (1647) 91 A coactive, or coercitive jurisdiction. 1750 Johnson Rambler No. 57 ¶7, I do not see any coactive necessity that many should be without the conveniences of life. 1865 Pusey Eiren. 78 The coactive and usurped power of the Pope. |
† b. In passive sense: Of an enforced kind, compulsory. Obs.
| 1596 Bell Surv. Popery i. i. xvi. 64 Coactive fasting is..by reason of famine, etc. 1636 Prynne Unbish. Tim. (1661) 35 His residence there was..at his own pleasure, not coactive. 1661 Ussher Power Princes i. (1683) 68 They are free from all coactive obedience to them. |
2. [f. co- + ] Acting in concert; acting or taking place together. rare.
| 1611 Shakes. Wint. T. i. ii. 141 With what's vnreall thou coactiue art, and follow'st nothing. 1841–4 Emerson Ess. Ser. ii. ii. (1878) 62 The evolution was not from one central point, but coactive from three or more points. |
Hence coactively adv., by way of compulsion.
| a 1641 Bp. R. Montagu A. & M. 410 Inforcing coactively, impelling violently all men. 1658 Bramhall Schisme Garded 177 (L.) All legislative, judiciary, and dispensative power, coactively, in the exteriour court of the church, over English subjects. |