compel
UK[kəmˈpel]US[kəmˈpel]
v
To force someone to do something.
v
To make something happen by necessity or by force of circumstance.
Morpheme Breakdown
com
pel
com
together, with
pel
drive, push
Etymology
The word 'compel' originates from the Latin compellere, itself a compound of the intensive prefix com- and the verb pellere, meaning "to drive." This literal sense of "driving together" or "driving forcefully" evolved in Late Latin to signify forcing someone to act. The semantic journey reflects a shift from physical propulsion to psychological or social pressure. The root pel- can be traced further back to the Proto-Indo-European base pel- (to thrust, strike, drive), which also gave rise to related English words like 'expel,' 'repel,' and 'pulse.'
Analysis
Structure: com (together, with) + pel (drive, push)
- com: A prefix of Latin origin meaning "together," "with," or "thoroughly." It functions as an intensifier in this word.
- pel: A root of Latin origin (from pellere, meaning "to drive" or "to push"). It provides the core semantic sense of forceful motion.
Examples
The law can compel companies to disclose their environmental impact.
His conscience compelled him to confess the truth.
The compelling evidence left the jury with no reasonable doubt.