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force1
- 1) noun, strength or energy; might; power
- 2) noun, exertion or the use of exertion against a person or thing that resists; coercion
- 3) noun, physics a) a dynamic influence that changes a body from a state of rest to one of motion or changes its rate of motion. The magnitude of the force is equal to the product of the mass of the body and its acceleration b) a static influence that produces an elastic strain in a body or system or bears weight. Symbol: F
- 4) noun, physics any operating influence that produces or tends to produce a change in a physical quantity
- 5) noun, a) intellectual, social, political, or moral influence or strength b) a person or thing with such influence
- 6) noun, vehemence or intensity
- 7) noun, a group of persons organized for military or police functions
- 8) noun, the police force
- 9) noun, a group of persons organized for particular duties or tasks
- 10) noun, criminal law violence unlawfully committed or threatened
- 11) noun, philosophy logic that which an expression is normally used to achieve
- 12) noun, in force a) (of a law) having legal validity or binding effect b) in great strength or numbers
- 13) noun, join forces to combine strengths, efforts, etc
- 14) verb, to compel or cause (a person, group, etc) to do something through effort, superior strength, etc; coerce
- 15) verb, to acquire, secure, or produce through effort, superior strength, etc
- 16) verb, to propel or drive despite resistance
- 17) verb, to break down or open (a lock, safe, door, etc)
- 18) verb, to impose or inflict
- 19) verb, to cause (plants or farm animals) to grow or fatten artificially at an increased rate
- 20) verb, to strain or exert to the utmost
- 21) verb, to rape; ravish
- 22) verb, cards a) to compel (a player) to trump in order to take a trick b) to compel a player by the lead of a particular suit to play (a certain card) c) (in bridge) to induce (a bid) from one's partner by bidding in a certain way
- 23) verb, force down to compel an aircraft to land
- 24) verb, force a smile to make oneself smile
- 25) verb, force the pace to adopt a high speed or rate of procedure
Etymology
C13: from Old French, from Vulgar Latin fortia (unattested), from Latin fortis strong
Collins English Electronic Dictionary - Digital Edition: 2008 © HarperCollins Publishers 2008
force2
- 1) noun, (in northern England) a waterfall
Etymology
C17: from Old Norse fors
Collins English Electronic Dictionary - Digital Edition: 2008 © HarperCollins Publishers 2008
strong interaction or force
- 1) noun, physics an interaction between elementary particles responsible for the forces between nucleons in the nucleus. It operates at distances less than about 10–15 metres, and is about a hundred times more powerful than the electromagnetic interaction. Also called: strong nuclear interaction or force. See interaction
Collins English Electronic Dictionary - Digital Edition: 2008 © HarperCollins Publishers 2008
weak interaction or force
- 1) noun, physics an interaction between elementary particles that is responsible for certain decay processes, operates at distances less than about 10–15 metres, and is 1012 times weaker than the strong interaction. The weak interaction and electromagnetic interactions are now described by the unifying electroweak theory. Also called: weak nuclear interaction or force. See interaction, electroweak interaction
Collins English Electronic Dictionary - Digital Edition: 2008 © HarperCollins Publishers 2008
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Synonyms
strength, life, strength, compulsion, pressure, violence, enforce, constraint, oppression, coercion, duress, power, might, pressure, energy, stress, impact, muscle, momentum, impulse, stimulus, vigour, potency, dynamism, influence, power, effect, authority, weight, punch (informal), significance, effective, efficacy, sound, persuasive, cogent, bite, intensity, vigour, fierce, drive, emphasis, persistence, army, unit, division, corps, company, body, host, troop, squad, patrol, regiment, battalion, legion, squadron, detachment, compel, make, drive, press, pressure, urge, overcome, oblige, railroad (informal), constrain, necessitate, coerce, impel, strong-arm (informal), dragoon, pressurize, obligate, impose, foist, push, thrust, propel, blast, wrench, prise, wrest, extort, drag, exact, wring, in force valid, working, current, effective, binding, operative, operational