enforce

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To keep up, impose or bring into effect something, not necessarily by force.

   The police are there to enforce the law.

2. 2
   verb

   To give strength or force to; to affirm, to emphasize.

   The victim was able to enforce his evidence against the alleged perpetrator.

3. 3
   verb

   To exert oneself, to try hard.

   I pray you enforce youreselff at that justis that ye may be beste, for my love.

4. 4
   verb

   To compel, oblige (someone or something); to force.

   Sweete prince I come, these these thy amorous lines, / Might haue enforst me to haue swum from France, / And like Leander gaspt vpon the sande, / So thou wouldst smile and take me in thy armes.

5. 5
   verb

   To make or gain by force; to force.

   to enforce a passage

6. 6
   verb

   To put in motion or action by violence; to drive.

   Auster and Aquilon with winged Steeds All ſweating, tilt about the watery heauens, With ſhiuering ſpeares enforcing thunderclaps, And from their ſhields ſtrike flames of lightening

7. 7
   verb

   To give force to; to strengthen; to invigorate; to energize.

   to enforce arguments or requests

8. 8
   verb

   To urge; to ply hard; to lay much stress upon.

   In this point charge him home, that he affects / Tyrannical power: if he evade us there, / Enforce him with his envy to the people, / And that the spoil got on the Antiates / Was ne’er distributed.

Etymology

From Middle English enforcen, from Old French enforcier, from Late Latin infortiāre, from in- + fortis (“strong”).