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compulsion

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The definition of a compulsion is an irresistible urge to do something or on obsession with something, or a constraint or an unstoppable force causing action.

(noun)

When you are required to attend an event, this is an example of a time when you attend because of a compulsion to attend.
When you feel an unstoppable urge to have a cigarette, this is an example of a time when you feel a compulsion to smoke.

See compulsion in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a compelling or being compelled; coercion; constraint
that which compels; driving force
Psychol. an irresistible, repeated, irrational impulse to perform some act

Origin: ME & LL compulsio < L compulsus, pp. of compellere: see compel

See compulsion in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. The act of compelling.
b. The state of being compelled.
a. An irresistible impulse to act, regardless of the rationality of the motivation: “The compulsion to protect the powerful from the discomfort of public disclosure feeds further abuse and neglect” (Boston Globe).
b. An act or acts performed in response to such an impulse.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Late Latin compulsiō, compulsiōn-

Origin: , from Latin compulsus

Origin: , past participle of compellere, to compel; see compel

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