D defs.my
Entry 10 senses · 3 variants Webster, 1913

Enforce

/ĭnfôrsʹ/ · En·force · IPA /ɪnˈfoɹs/
01 v. t. To put force upon; to force; to constrain; to compel; as, to enforce obedience to commands.
imp. & p. p. Enforced; p. pr. & vb. n. Enforcing
  1. 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. 2.
    To make or gain by force; to obtain by force; as, to enforce a passage.
  3. 3.
    To put in motion or action by violence; to drive.
    “As swift as stones Enforced from the old Assyrian slings.” Shak.
  4. 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. 5.
    To put in force; to cause to take effect; to give effect to; to execute with vigor; as, to enforce the laws.
  6. 6.
    To urge; to ply hard; to lay much stress upon.
    Enforce him with his envy to the people.” Shak.
02 v. i. To attempt by force.
  1. 1.
    To attempt by force.[Obs.]
  2. 2.
    To prove; to evince.[R.]
  3. 3.
    To strengthen; to grow strong.[Obs.]
03 n. Force; strength; power.
  1. 1.
    Force; strength; power.[Obs.]
    “A petty enterprise of small enforce.” Milton.