Definition: enforce
Source: WordNet (r) 1.7
enforce
v 1: ensure observance of laws and rules; "Apply the rules to
everyone"; [syn: implement, apply] [ant: exempt]
2: compel or impose; "Social relations impose courtesy" [syn: impose]
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Enforce \En*force"\, n.
Force; strength; power. [Obs.]
A petty enterprise of small enforce. --Milton.
Enforce \En*force"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Enforced; p. pr. & vb. n. Enforcing.] [OF. enforcier to strengthen, force, F. enforcir; pref. en- (L. in) + F. force. See Force.] 1. To put force upon; to force; to constrain; to compel; as, to enforce obedience to commands. Inward joy enforced my heart to smile. --Shak. 2. To make or gain by force; to obtain by force; as, to enforce a passage. ``Enforcing furious way.'' --Spenser. 3. To put in motion or action by violence; to drive. As swift as stones Enforced from the old Assyrian slings. --Shak. 4. To give force to; to strengthen; to invigorate; to urge with energy; as, to enforce arguments or requests. Enforcing sentiment of the thrust humanity. --Burke. 5. To put in force; to cause to take effect; to give effect to; to execute with vigor; as, to enforce the laws. 6. To urge; to ply hard; to lay much stress upon. Enforce him with his envy to the people. --Shak.
Enforce \En*force\, v. i. 1. To attempt by force. [Obs.] 2. To prove; to evince. [R.] --Hooker. 3. To strengthen; to grow strong. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
