Now rare or arch. [ad. L. compellātiōn-em addressing, n. of action f. compellāre: see prec.]
1. Addressing or calling upon any one; an address; the words addressed to any one. arch. Obs.
1603. Holland, Plutarch’s Mor., 1361. Mine opinion is, that this writing EI signifieth neither number, nor order, nor conjunction, nor any other defective particle; but is is an entier salutation of it selfe, and a compellation of the God.
1609. R. Barnard, Faithf. Sheph., 67. Compellation; which is a calling vpon the Hearers, to a consideration of the thing spoken.
1642. Rogers, Naaman, 484. His compellation, Incline thine care, hearken unto me.
a. 1633. W. Ames, Marrow of Div. (1642), II. viii. 275. But although one have not a direct intentation to aske counsell of the Devill, yet if he doe that which either of its owne nature, or by use and application which it hath doth infer a compellation of the Devill to receive his helpe or counsell, he is made partaker of the same sin.
1649. Roberts, Clavis Bibl., 478. An Apostrophe, or affectionate Compellation of all that passe by to be … touch’t with her sorrows.
1711. Reflect. Wall’s Hist. Inf. Bapt., 191. At each compellation putting him [the baptiz’d person] down into the water.
1864. Sir F. Palgrave, Norm. & Eng., IV. 161. Having completed the introductory compellation he continued.
2. a. Addressing by a particular name or title.
1645. Ussher, Body Div. (1647), 353. A Preface of compellation … in the first words, Our Father which art in heaven.
1691. E. Taylor, trans. Behmen, Life, 425. Amazed at the Strangers familiar compellation of him by his Christian Name.
1862. F. Hall, Hindu Canons Dram. (1865), 23. The rules of compellation, to be observed by the persons of the drama.
b. The name, title, or form of words by which a person is addressed; style of address.
1643. Sir T. Browne, Relig. Med., I. § 58. That name and compellation of little Flocke, doth not comfort but deject my devotion.
a. 1652. Brome, Love-sick Crt., III. ii. Mat. My soveraign Lord. Str. I like that compellation.
1749. Fielding, Tom Jones, XVI. ix. He was received with many scurvy compellations too coarse to be repeated.
1846. Trench, Mirac., i. (1862), 104. So far from any harshness, the compellation [‘Woman’] has something solemn in it.
c. The name, title, or style, used in speaking of a person (or thing); an appellation.
1637. Bastwick, Litany, II. 16. The worst things are varnished ouer with finest names and compellations.
1654. Gayton, Pleas. Notes, IV. vi. 202. Abraham … agreed with her … to go by the Compellation of his sister.
1677. Govt. Venice, 317. Honorius justly calls the Republick of Venice by the Honourable title of Most Christian … under which honourable Compellation, [etc.].
1809. Kendall, Trav., III. lx. 2. Among the more modern compellations of the federalists, the favourite ones are traitors, tories, damned tories, and British tories.
† 3. Reproach, reprimand, reproof; a calling to account. [So in Lat.] Obs. rare.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., Compellation, a blaming or reproving.
1658. Ussher, Ann., VII. 863. Such compellations and imprecations, as calamitous times are commonly the witnesses of.
1660. R. Coke, Power & Subj., 191. A deacon in a simple compellation may accompany himself with two deacons.
