The Century, XXXV

614. Bitter constraint , and sad occasion dear, Compels me to disturb your season due. Milton, Lycidas, 1. 6. Certain complex restraints on exce es of altruism exist, which, in another way, force back the individual upon a normal egoism. H. Spencer , Data of Ethics, § 96. forcel (fors), r.; pret. and pp. forced , ppr. for cing. [ forcen , forsen ( = D. forceren = G. forciren = Dan. for cere = Sw. forcer a ), forcier , F. forcer = Pr. forsar = Sp. forzar = Pg. forçar = It. forzare , fort i are , force, fortify, fortia , force, strength, etc.: see force1 , n.] I. trans. 1. To act effectively upon by force, physical, mental, or moral, in any manner; impel by force; compel; constrain. force A smalle sparke kyndles a great fyre if it be forste to burne. Babees Book (E. E. T. S.), p. 94. I'll undertake to land them on our coast, And force the tyrant from his seat by war. Shak., 3 Hen. VI., iii. 3. I have been told that one hundred and sixty minnows have been found in a Trout's belly; either the Trout had devoured so many, or the miller that gave it a friend of mine had forced them down his throat after he had taken him. 1. Walton , Complete Angler, p. 95. Like a bow long fore'd into a curve, The mind, releas'd from too constrain'd a nerve, Flew to its first position with a spring. Corper , Table-Talk, 1. 622. 2. To overcome or overthrow by force; accomplish one's purpose upon or in regard to by force or compulsion; compel to succumb, give way, or yield. Will he force the queen also before me in the house? Esther vii. 8. Then they flatter'd him and made him do ill things; now they would force him against his Conscience. Selden , Table-Talk, p. 63. I should have forced thee soon with other arms. Milton , S. A., 1. 1096. When wine has given indecent language birth, And forced the floodgates of licentious mirth. Couper , Conversation, 1. 264. Some forced the breach, others scaled the ramparts. Pre scott, Ferd. and Isa., ii. 10. 3. To effect by effort or a special or unusual application of force; bring about or promote by some artificial means: as, to force the pa age of a river against an enemy; to force a jest. If you bow low, may be he'll touch the bonnet, Or fling a fore'd smile at you for a favour. Fletcher ( and another ), Queen of Corinth, ii. 4. Some twenty times a day, nay, not so little, Do I force errands, frame ways and excuses, To come into her sight. Middle ton, Changeling, ii. 1. A succe ful speculator or a "merchant prince" may force his way into good society in England; he may be presented at court, and flourish at court-balls. W. H. Ru ell , Diary in India, II. 152. 4. To cause to grow, develop, or mature under unnaturally stimulating or favorable conditions. Specifically - ( a ) To hasten or enlarge the growth of, as flowers, fruits, etc., by means of artificial heat and shelter, as in hothouses or hotbeds. (b) To fine, as wine, by a short proce or in a short time. (c) In general, to subject to unnatural stimulation or pre ure, in order to accomplish a desired result before the usual or natural time, as in training the young. 5. To impose or impre by force; compel the acceptance or endurance of: with on or upon: as, to force one's company or views on another; to force conviction on the mind.-6t. To furnish with a force; man; garrison. Were they not fore'd with those that should be ours, We might have met them dareful, beard to beard, And beat them backward home. Shak ., Macbeth, v. 5. 7t. To put in force; make binding; enforce.8. In card - playing: (a) In whist, to compel (a player) to trump a trick by leading a card of a suit of which he has none, which trick otherwise would be taken by an opponent: as, to force one's partner. (b) To compel (a person) to play so as to make known the strength of his hand.-9t. To attach force or importance to; have regard to; care for. I force not Philautus his fury, so I may hane Euphues his friendship. Lyly , Euphues, Anat. of Wit, p. 81. For me, I force not argument a straw, Since that my case is past the help of law. Shak., Lucrece, 1. 1021. Forced heir, in law: ( a ) An heir in whose favor the law provides that a part at least of the inheritance shall not be devised away from him. (b) In Rom, law, one obliged to accept a succe ion, however involved the estate might be.-Forced march, sale, etc. See the nouns. To force one's hand. (a) In card - playing, same as 8 (b). Hence -(b) To compel one to disclose his intentions, plans, or resources. The potato famine in Ireland precipitated a crisis, forced Peel's hand , and compelled him to open the ports, which, once open, could not, it was clear, again be closed. S. Dowell , Taxes in England, IV. 13. =Syn. 1 and 2. To oblige, nece itate, coerce. II.t in trans. 1. To use force or violence; make violent effort; strive; endeavor. Forcing with gyfts to winne his wanton heart. Spenser , Shep. Cal., April. Howbeit, in the ende, perceiving those men did more fiercely force to gette up the lull. North , tr. of Plutarch, p. 327. 2. To be of force or importance; be of significance or consequence. It little forceth how long a man liue, but how wel and J. Udall , On Mark v. vertuously. 3. To care; hesitate; scruple. Your oath once broke, you force not to forswear. Shak . , L. L. L., v. 2. The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia: Dictionary IMG:content-1659.png:[blocks in formation] I force not of such fooleries [omens], but if I have any functions, but viscosity and other forces which are merely skill in South-saying (as in sooth I have none), it doth prognosticate that I shall change copie from a Duke to a King. Camden, Remains, Wise Speeches.