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coerce definition

co·erce (kō ʉrs)

transitive verb coerced -·erced′, coercing -·erc′·ing

  1. to restrain or constrain by force, esp. by legal authority; curb
  2. to force or compel, as by threats, to do something
  3. to bring about by using force; enforce

Etymology: ME cohercen < OFr cohercier < L coercere, to surround, restrain < co-, together + arcere, to confine: see exercise

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