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compulsion definition

com·pul·sion (kəm pul′s̸hən)

noun

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

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

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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