Forms: α. 4–7 enforse, (4 ? enforth, 6 enfoarce), 4– enforce. β. 4–7 inforse, (6 infors), 5– inforce. [ad. OF. enforcier, enforcir:—late L. infortiāre, infortīre, f. in- (see IN-) + fortis strong; see also EN- prefix1 and FORCE sb.]
I. To put force or strength into.
† 1. trans. To strengthen (a fortress) by extra works, (an army, navy, town, etc.) by extra ships, troops, etc.; to occupy in force; to reinforce. Obs.
α. 1340–70. Alisaunder, 908. Enforced were þe entres with egre men fele.
c. 1425. Wyntoun, Cron., VIII. xxxvii. 177. Morys of Murrawe … Ðat syne enforsyt it [þat Castelle] grettumly.
1523. Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. xlvi. 63. The frenche kynge enforced his great nauy that he had on the see.
1557. Paynel, Barclay’s Jugurth, 52. He ordeyned as it were a forward enforced with a threfold subsidie, or socour.
1668. Temple, Lett. Ld. Arlington, Wks. 1731, II. 61. To enforce the Towns of Flanders by … our Troops.
1755. Edwards, Wks. (1834), I. Introd. 209/2. The French were in constant expectation of being greatly enforced by a large body.
β. 1375. Barbour, Bruce, IV. 65. [Thai] inforsit the castell sua.
1652. Needham, trans. Selden’s Mare Cl., 376. Provided and inforced with men of war in divers forein Parts.
1697. Dryden, Æneid, XI. 784/561. The brave Messapus shall thy troops inforce; With those of Tibur.
† 2. To strengthen in a moral sense; to impart resolution or fortitude to (a person); to encourage (Const. to with inf.); to strengthen (a resolve, a purpose). Obs.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Pers. T., ¶ 656. This vertu … enhaunsith and enforceth the soule.
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 178/3. Yet was saynt barnabe a man enforced to suffre paynes.
1534. Ld. Berners, Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546), O vj. By suche exaumples … the good people shoulde enforce them selues.
1626. Bacon, Sylva (1677), § 314. To enforce the Spirits by some Mixture, that may excite and quicken them.
1685. R. Berkeley, in Mem. (1857), III. 275. Sir, if the entreaties of a friend can enforce the resolves of so great a philosopher.
† 3. To add force to, intensify, strengthen (a feeling, desire, influence); to impart fresh vigor or energy to (an action, movement, attack, etc.). Obs.
α. 1375. Barbour, Bruce, V. 355. Douglass … enforsit on thame the cry.
c. 1400. Rom. Rose, 4499. Now mote my sorwe enforced be.
c. 1450. Merlin, ix. 136. And so began the turnement newe to enforse for the rescewe of theire felowes.
1523. Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. lxxvi. 97. The next day to enforce the assaut.
1563. Man, trans. Musculus’ Common Pl., 34 b. Enforcing vp his noyce littel and littel.
1727. Pope, etc. Art Sinking, 76. Hang on lead to … enforce our descent.
1741. C. Middleton, Cicero, III. XII. (ed. 2), 287. He [Cicero] … used to enforce the severity of his abstinence.
1750. Johnson, Rambler, No. 63, ¶ 12. The temptations to do ill are multiplied and enforced.
1775. T. Sheridan, Art Reading, 102. Their [the consonants’] sound should be enforced.
β. 1573. Douglas, Æneis, I. ii. 31. Infors thi wyndis.
1534. Ld. Berners, Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546), N iv. He inforceth his appetite, to know more.
1691–8. Norris, Pract. Disc., IV. 374. Conviction of the Worlds Vanity … as an inner spring actuates and inforces all our outward motions.
1697. South, 12 Serm., I. vi. 239 (R.). The same Authority, and evidence, that inforced the Former.
† b. To give legal force to; to ratify. Obs. rare–1.
1756. P. Browne, Jamaica, 5. They are generally in force for one year, or until his majesty’s pleasure be known, who always inforces or makes void all the acts passed by them.
4. To press home (an argument, etc.); to urge (a demand, etc.); formerly, also, to lay stress upon, emphasize (a fact, circumstance).
α. c. 1449. [see ENFORCING vbl. sb.].
1593. Shaks., Rich. II., IV. i. 90. Against Aumerle we will enforce his Tryall.
1600. Holland, Livy, V. iv. 181. Much against my stomacke, ô Quirites, enforce I this point.
1635. Naunton, Fragm. Reg. (Arb.), 43. The Warrant for his execution [being] tendered, and somewhat enforced, she [the Queen] refused to sign it.
a. 1674. Clarendon, Hist. Reb. I. II. IV. (1707), 341 (J.). Inforcing the ill consequence of his refusal to take the Office.
1711. Shaftesb., Charac., II. 68. Where infinite rewards are thus inforc’d … natural motives to goodness are apt to be neglected.
1751. Johnson, Rambler, No. 87, ¶ 14. The preacher … enforcing a precept of religion.
1832. Ht. Martineau, Ireland, ii. 33. In order to enforce what he had said.
1870. R. Anderson, Missions Amer. Board, II. ix. 74. Hoapile enforced his claim by an argument from a reciprocity of rights and duties.
1878. Browning, La Saisiaz, 76. Failed ye to enforce the maxim.
β. 1586. A. Day, Eng. Secretary, II. (1625), 92. How much euery degree is still inforced one aboue another.
1605. B. Jonson, Volpone, I. iv. To inforce … Your cares, your watchings, and your many prayers.
1628. T. Spencer, Logick, 308. The presence of that, doth inforce the absence of the rest.
1750. Johnson, Rambler, No. 24, ¶ 5. This monition might very properly be inforced.
1775. Adair, Amer. Ind., 61. To inforce their musical speech.
† b. With obj. clause, or accus. and inf.: To assert, argue forcibly. Obs.
1579. J. Knewstub, Confut., 5. Upon order taken for procuring things to be done, H. N. will necessarily enforce that the same are done.
1613. Life Will. Conq., in Select. fr. Harl. Misc. (1793), 8/2. He inforced it to be a good title.
† 5. To exert (one’s strength). Obs.
1490. Caxton, Eneydos (1889), 18. By grete myghte and bodyli strengthe enforced his puyssaunce for to arache and plucke vp the same tree.
† b. refl. To exert oneself, strive. Const. to with inf. Also to with sb.: To strive after, rush into. Obs.
α. c. 1340. Cursor M., 18089. Enforseþ ȝou wiþ myȝte & meyn Stalworþely to stonde aȝeyn.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Melibeus, ¶ 209. Suche as enforcen hem rathere to prayse youre persone by flaterie.
a. 1450. Knt. de la Tour (1868), 61. Eve … enforced her to excuse her of her misdede and synne.
1526. Tindale, Rom. xv. 20. So have I enforsed my selfe to preache the gospell.
1533. Bellenden, Livy, III. (1822), 213. He enforcit himself to batall.
1535. Fisher, Wks., 381. Such soules also as … enforce them selues to a great loue.
1557. North, trans. Gueuara’s Diall Pr., Prol. A 1 α. We may enforce our selfes, to worke amendes.
1693. W. Robertson, Phraseol. Gen., 535/1. To enforce, or strain himself earnestly; Conari.
β. c. 1460. Fortescue, Abs. & Lim. Mon. (1714), 60. [Man] inforsith hymself to be alway gretter and gretter.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, X. vii. 177. Pallas … Inforcis hym to greif hys fays that tyde.
1541. Elyot, Image Gov., 43. He … inforceth him selfe to brenne the houses.
1633. Bp. Hall, Hard Texts, N. T., 85. Inforce yourselves to use all diligent … indeavours.
† 6. intr. for refl. To strive, attempt, physically or mentally. Of a ship: To make way. Obs.
α. c. 1340. Hampole, Prose Tr., 2. It enforthis for to halde besyly in it the swetteste name of Ihesu.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Boeth., II. i. 30. She vseþ ful flatryng familarite wiþ hem þat she enforceþ to bygyle.
1382. Wyclif, 1 Kings xix. 10. Saul enforside to fitche to gidre with a spere Dauid in the wal. Ibid., Acts xxv. 15. The schipp was rauyschid, and myȝte not enforse into the wynd.
1490. Caxton, How to Die, 4. The deuylle enforseth to brynge to him sorowe vpon sorow.
1557. N. T. (Genev.), 1 Thess. ii. 17. We enforsed the more to se your face.
1595. Spenser, Col. Clout, 482. Thrise happie Mayd, Whom thou doest so enforce to deifie.
β. 1513. Douglas, Æneis, V. i. 37. Nor we may nocht strife, nor enforce [ed. 1557 inforce] sa fast Agane the storme.
1581. Marbeck, Bk. of Notes, 377. False Prophets … inforce to quench the true vnderstanding of the lawe.
II. To bring force to bear upon.
† 7. trans. To drive by force: a. by physical force, as a stone from a sling, a person from a place. Also, To enforce open, and simply.
c. 1325. E. E. Allit. P., B. 938. And enforsed alle fawre forth at þe ȝatez.
1555. W. Watreman, Fardle Facions, I. vi. F v b. There come into that coaste, infinite swarmes of Gnattes, without any drifte of winde to enforce them.
1596. Harington, Metam. Ajax (1814), 108–9. The very nature of fire helpeth to enforce it [air] upward.
1599. Shaks., Hen. V., IV. vii. 65. As swift as stones Enforced from the old Assyrian slings.
1600. Hakluyt, Voy. (1810), III. 189. If we be inforced by contrary windes.
1627. Speed, England, xxi. § 8. Yet hath she [Lincoln] not escaped the calamitie of sword, as in the time of the Saxons; whence Arthur enforced their Host.
1644. Quarles, Barnabas & B. (1851), 194. Nor can my stronger groans enforce the portals open.
1649. Selden, Laws Eng., II. xii. (1739), 67. Those that would reduce him, he enforces into foreign Countries.
b. by mental or moral force: To drive a person to or from a belief, sentiment, or course of action.
1542. Henry VIII., Declar. Scots, 192. Beying novve enforced to the warre.
1591. Drayton, Noah, in Farr, S. P. Jas. I. (1848), 119. From remorce In his own nature you doe him inforce.
1635. Austin, Medit., 101. To this observance [fasting] … Nature should inforce us.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., I. i. 1. It hath … enforced them unto strange conceptions.
1664. Dryden, Rival Ladies, II. i. (1725), 209. I am inforc’d to trust you with my most near Concerns.
† 8. To use force upon; to press hard upon. Also fig. to press hard upon, urge, with arguments, taunts, entreaties, etc. Obs.
138[?]. Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 378. [Naaman] enforsid hym þat he schuld haue take þo giftis.
c. 1400. Rom. Rose, 6409. Thou shalt not streyne me a dele, Ne enforce me.
1494. Fabyan, VII. ccxlv. 288. Eyther prynce enforsed so straytly that other, that eyther of theym were vnhorsed.
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 176. If you thinke not this … truth, I will not enforce you.
1601. Shaks., Jul. C., IV. iii. 112. The Flint beares fire, Who much inforced, shewes a hastie Sparke, And straite is cold agen.
1605. Camden, Rem., 212. Hee besieged Orleans, and had so enforced it, that the Inhabitants were willing to articulate, and to yeelde themselves to the Duke of Burgundie.
a. 1618. Raleigh, Rem. (1644), 36. It is not the part of a just Civil Prince … to enforce such a Countrey.
1662. Fuller, Worthies (1840), III. 279. He enforced him no further.
b. intr. in same sense: To enforce upon. Obs.
1561. T. Norton, Calvin’s Inst., I. To Rdr. How much more the sickenesse enforced vpon me, so much lesse I spared myselfe.
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 98. The French men … so enforced upon them, that they … tooke the sayde Arthur prisoner.
1586. J. Hooker, Girald. Irel., in Holinshed, II. 16/1. They still pressing & inforcing vpon him.
† 9. To overcome by violence; to take (a town) by storm; to force, ravish (a woman); also fig.
α. c. 1386. Chaucer, Pers. T., ¶ 900. If the womman maugré hir heed hath ben enforced or noon.
1483. Caxton, G. de la Tour, E vj b. He … enforced their wyues.
1579. Fenton, Guicciard., 165. They enforced it in two dayes, and likewise the Castle, making slaughter of all the footmen that were withdrawne thither.
1594. T. B., La Primaud. Fr. Acad., II. 423. For howsoeuer they labour to enforce (as it were) their conscience.
1631. Chapman, Cæsar & Pompey, IV. i. G 3. The great authority of Rome Would faine enforce me by their mere suspitions.
β. 1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 249 b. Inforce theyr wyues and their children.
1577. Test. 12 Patriarchs, 52. Ye shall … inforce maidens in Jerusalem.
10. To compel, constrain, oblige. Said of both persons and circumstances. Const. to with inf. arch.
α. 1523. Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. xii. 12. They were xi days in the shyppe, and enforced it to saile as moche as they myghte.
1553. Eden, Treat. Newe Ind. (Arb.), 13. [They] were at the length, enforsed to departe.
1573. Tusser, Husb. (1878), 5. My seruing you … Enforced this to come to pas.
1632. Lithgow, Trav., III. (1682), 107. Accompanied with two Goddesses; the one was (Eloquence) to perswade them, and the other was (Violence) to enforce them.
1649. Selden, Laws Eng., II. ii. (1739), 15. The Parliament was sometimes enforced to adjourn it self for want of number sufficient.
1733. Neal, Hist. Purit., II. 387. [He] had been … enforced to enter into a bond of a thousand pounds.
1801. Southey, Thalaba, V. xxxv. Only by strong and torturing spells enforced.
1837. Sir F. Palgrave, Merch. & Friar, i. (1844), 17. You would have been enforced to compress your missive within … scanty bounds.
β. 1509–10. Act 1 Hen. VIII., c. 12. Pream., The Parties … were inforced and constrayned to sue ther Lyverey … oute of the Handes of the seid late Kyng.
1581. W. Stafford, Exam. Compl., iii. 44 b. The husbandman was necessarily inforced … to sell his victailes dearer.
1691. Locke, Money, Wks. 1727, II. 33. The Bargain being made, the Law will inforce the Borrower to pay it.
III. To produce, impose, effect, by force.
† 11. To produce by force, material or immaterial; to extort (tears, concessions, etc.) from a person; to force (a passage); to bring on (a quarrel, etc.) by force; to force on. Obs.
α. 1586. Marlowe, 1st Pt. Tamburl., III. ii. With shivering spears enforcing thunder-claps.
1586. A. Day, Eng. Secretary, I. (1625), 42. My paper burthened with [t]his long discourse … enforceth an end.
1594. Greene & Lodge, Looking Glasse (1861), 131. Dare you enforce the furrows of revenge Within the brows of royal Radagon?
1598. B. Jonson, Ev. Man in Hum., IV. iii. (1616), 48. Why, how now, brother, who enforst this brawle?
1633. T. Stafford, Pac. Hib., xi. (1821), 134. The White Knight … condemned both his Sonne and people for their folly, to enforce a fight.
1812. J. J. Henry, Camp. agst. Quebec, 134. The endurances we underwent … enforced many a tear.
β. 1531–46. Elyot, Governour (1883), II. 215. Iniurie apparaunt and with powar inforced … may be with lyke powar resisted.
1583. Golding, Calvin on Deut., Pref. Ep. 1. The long interceassing of so great a benefite (inforced through the tyrannie of Antichrist).
1611. Lanyer, Salve Deus, in Farr, S. P. Jas. I. (1848), 230. Your cries inforced mercie, grace, and loue, From Him whom greatest princes would not moue.
1621. Burton, Anat. Mel., I. iii. III. (1651), 212. By the striking of a flint fire is inforced.
1636. G. Sandys, Paraphr. Div. Poems, Ex. xv. (1648), 2. Pharaohs Chariots … Twixt walls of Seas their way inforce.
1674. Playford, Skill Mus., I. 48. To feign them, or at the least to inforce Notes.
† 12. To force, obtrude (something) on a person.
1601. Shaks., All’s Well, II. i. 129. I will no more enforce mine office on you.
13. To compel by physical or moral force (the performance of an action, conformity to a rule, etc.); to impose (a course of conduct) on a person.
1649. Selden, Laws Eng., I. xiii. (1739), 23. This course was … inforced upon them by a Roman Constitution.
1712. Berkeley, Pass. Obed., § 3. A supreme power of making laws, and enforcing the observation of them.
1828. Scott, F. M. Perth, xiv. To enforce upon his fiery temper compliance with the rules of civil life.
1844. H. H. Wilson, Brit. India, I. I. ii. 143. He declared his determination to enforce obedience to the order.
1859. Kingsley, Misc. (1860), II. 63. The bloated tyrant … enforced payment by scourge and thumbscrew.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), V. 123. They are to enforce the education of their children upon unwilling parents.
14. To compel the observance of (a law); to support by force (a claim, demand, obligation).
α. 1603. Shaks., Meas. for M., IV. iv. 25. A deflowred maid, And by an eminent body, that enforc’d The Law against it!
1732. Berkeley, Alciphr., III. § 13. There was neither jail nor executioner in his kingdom to enforce the laws.
1774. Goldsm., Nat. Hist. (1776), II. 130. It should be the business of the legislature … to enforce this Divine precept.
1839. Thirlwall, Greece, V. 265. Sparta … paid no regard to the sentence, which, after the battle of Mantinea, there was none to enforce.
1841. Elphinstone, Hist. Ind., I. 503. They sent a body of 1000 infantry and 300 horse to enforce their demand.
β. 1848. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 652. This law was inforced after the Bloody Assizes with a rigour at once cruel and ludicrous.
b. absol. rare.
1876. Grote, Eth. Fragm., ii. 39. If as an individual he is obliged to obey, as one of the public he is entitled to enforce upon other individuals.
