coerce etymology

Etymology

• Middle English: from Latin coercere, from co-, "together" + arcere, "to drive, shut in"

Meaning

• To compel or restrain by force or authority
• To force into a particular state or action

Origin

The Latin verb arcere originally meant "to drive off, keep away." It was often used in a military context, meaning "to ward off an enemy." Over time, the meaning of arcere expanded to include "to shut in" and "to keep in check."

The prefix co- added the sense of "together" or "in common." Thus, coercere came to mean "to drive together" or "to keep together." This sense of coercion is still present in the modern English word "coerce."

coerce relate terms

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  Etymology Latin arcanus hidden secret mysterious Late Latin arcanum mystery

• coercion

  Etymology Late Latin coercere from Latin co together arcere to enclose restr

• coerce

  Etymology Middle English from Latin coercere from co together arcere to drive

• hale

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• squeeze

  Etymology The word squeeze comes from the Middle English word squisen which is in t

• pressure

  Etymology Latin pressura from premere to press Meaning Force exerted per unit a

• distress

  Etymology Old French destresse Late Latin districtius comparative of districtus mea

• district

  Etymology The word district is derived from the Latin word districtus meaning a te

• distress

  Etymology Old French destresse Late Latin districtius comparative of districtus mea

• steam roller

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• oblige

  Etymology The word oblige comes from the Latin word obligare which means to bind

• bludgeon

  Etymology Middle English bludgeon from Old French blodigon from blodier to wound

• compel

  Etymology The word compel comes from the Latin word compellere which means to driv