Dictionary entry

Enforce

Webster's Dictionary 1913

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.