force
n. C / Un. physical power or strength, like the power of a strong wind. It can also mean using violence or pressure to make someone do something against their will.
n. physical strength or energy exerted upon an object or person. In legal and general contexts, it frequently refers to coercion or violence used to compel someone to act against their will.
The force of the wind blew the roof off the house.
The police had to use force to open the locked door and rescue the trapped family.
The treaty was signed under the threat of military force, raising questions about its legitimacy under international law.
From Middle English force, fors, forse, from Old French force, from Late Latin fortia, a noun derived from the neuter plural of Latin fortis (“strong”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰerǵʰ- (“to rise, high, hill”).
From Middle English forcen, from Old French forcier, from Late Latin *fortiāre, from Latin fortia.
From Middle English force, forz, fors, from Old Norse fors (“waterfall”), from Proto-Germanic *fursaz (“waterfall”). Cognate with Icelandic foss (“waterfall”), Norwegian foss (“waterfall”), Swedish fors (“waterfall”). Doublet of foss.
From Middle English forcen, forsen, a use of force, with confusion of farce (“to stuff”).
Uncountable when referring to coercion or general physical power; countable when referring to a specific physical influence or an organised group of people.
- 01
force down someone's throat
To shove something down someone's throat.
- 02
force of habit
An act that has been repeated to the point where the performance of the act becomes automatic.
- 03
force someone's hand
Bring about a situation which necessitates an agent to act, often causing a plan to be executed prematurely.