1. That may be compelled: a. to do something.
1531. Dial. on Laws Eng., II. x. (1638), 76. They were not compellable by no law to make amends for the trespas.
1618–29. Rushw., Hist. Coll., I. 637. The King is not compellible to call his Parliament.
1767. Blackstone, Comm., II. 185. Joint-tenants … are compellable by writ of partition to divide their lands.
1857. Toulm. Smith, Parish, 436. The Parishioners … are compellable to put things in decent order.
b. to something (e.g., military service).
1649. Selden, Laws Eng., I. lxx. (1739), 187. They are … not compellable to foreign service.
1726. Ayliffe, Parerg., 455. The Laity are not compellable hereunto.
c. absol.
1625. Bp. Mountagu, App. Cæsar, x. 97. He doth it according to his WILL, not compellable in the proper acts thereof.
1660. R. Coke, Justice Vind., Arts & Sc., 7. The outward senses are patient, and therefore compellible.
† 2. Compulsory. Obs.
1677. Yarranton, Eng. Improv., 25. The Register is voluntary, not compellable, so he that will Register may, and he that will not may chuse.
Hence Compellably adv.
1818. Todd, Compellably, in a forcible manner.
