Also 6 efforse. [ad. F. efforcer (OF. esforcer) = Pr. esforsar, -zar, It. sforzare:—med.L. exfortiāre, f. ex out + forti-s strong.]
† 1. refl. To force oneself, to make an effort (transl. F. s’efforcer). Obs.
1512. Helyas, in Thoms, Prose Rom., III. 31. Everiche of the company efforced them to doo honour.
1543. Traheron, Vigo’s Chirurg., III. I. xv. 105 b. Manye efforce themselves to make argumentes to be contrarye.
2. trans. In Spenser’s use: To force open, to gain by force, to compel; also, To efforce it.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., II. vii. 30 (J.). Yron chests and coffers … Them to efforce by violence or wrong. Ibid., III. ix. 9. Affray with cruell threat, Ere that we to efforce it do begin. Ibid., xii. 43. Th’ enchaunter … all that fraud did frame To have efforst the love of that faire lasse.
3. To force out, tear out by force. rare.
1855. Singleton, Virgil, I. 91. Standing corn, From lowest roots aloft efforced.
Hence Efforced ppl. a., uttered with effort.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., II. viii. 4. Againe he heard a more efforced voyce.
