compelv. t.[L. compellere, compulsum, to drive together, to compel, urge; com- + pellere to drive: cf. OF. compellir. See Pulse.]1. To drive or urge with force, or irresistibly; to force; to constrain; to oblige; to necessitate, either by physical or moral force.()Wolsey . . . compelled the people to pay up the whole subsidy at once. (Hallam.)And they compel one Simon . . . to bear his cross. (Mark xv. 21.)2. To take by force or violence; to seize; to exact; to extort.()Commissions, which compel from each
The sixth part of his substance. (Shak.)3. To force to yield; to overpower; to subjugate.()Easy sleep their weary limbs compelled. (Dryden.)I compel all creatures to my will. (Tennyson.)4. To gather or unite in a crowd or company.(Dryden.)5. To call forth; to summon.(Chapman.)She had this knight from far compelled. (Spenser.)()v. i. To make one yield or submit.(Shak.)