Also 5–6 -cion, 6 -syon, -sioun. [a. F. compulsion (14th c. in Littré), ad. L. compulsiōn-em, n. of action from compell-ĕre, compuls- to COMPEL.] The action, or an act, of compelling, or the condition of being compelled; constraint, obligation, coercion.
1462. Edw. IV., in Ellis, Orig. Lett., II. 41. I. 130. We desyre nothinge of them by way of ymposition, compulcion, or of precedent or example there upon hereafter to be taken, but all onely of theyr humanitie and good wills.
1495. Act 11 Hen. VII., c. 38, Pream. Made by compulcion, cohercion and emprisonement.
1552. Abp. Hamilton, Catech. (1884), 43. Content to do it willingly without ony compulsioun.
1649. Milton, Eikon., Wks. (1738), I. 244. Wherfore was there such compulsion us’d … about conforming to a Liturgy?
1775. Johnson, Tax no Tyr., Wks. X. 123. What … is the difference between him that is taxed by compulsion without representation, and him that is represented by compulsion in order to be taxed?
1869. Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1876), III. xii. 247. Such an oath could have been taken only under compulsion.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), I. 141. If he likes he pays my price, but there is no compulsion.
b. phr. On compulsion.
1596. Shaks., 1 Hen. IV., II. iv. 261. Poin. Come, your reason Iack, your reason. Falst. What, vpon compulsion? No: were I at the Strappado, or all the Racks in the World, I would not tell you on compulsion. Ibid., Merch. V., IV. i. 183. Por. Then must the Iew be mercifull. Iew. On what compulsion must I?
1859. Lewin, Invas. Brit., 119. The tribute … would not be forthcoming except on compulsion.
† c. rarely with pl. Obs.
1660. H. More, Myst. Godl., To Rdr. 15. Forcing one another to … profession of what they do not believe, by harsh Antichristian compulsions.
