- forcible
- forcible (adj.) early 15c., from M.Fr. forcible, from O.Fr. forcier (see FORCE (Cf. force)). Related: Forcibly.
Etymology dictionary. 2014.
forcible
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Forcible — For ci*ble, a. [Cf. OF. forcible forcible, forceable that may be forced.] 1. Possessing force; characterized by force, efficiency, or energy; powerful; efficacious; impressive; influential. [1913 Webster] How forcible are right words! Job. vi. 2? … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
forcible — for·ci·ble / fȯr sə bəl/ adj: effected by force or threat of force used against opposition or resistance a forcible felony for·ci·bly adv Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam Webster. 1996 … Law dictionary
forcible — forceful, *powerful, potent, puissant Analogous words: vehement, *intense, violent: energetic, strenuous, *vigorous: *aggressive, militant, assertive, self assertive: coercing or coercive (see corresponding verb at FORCE) … New Dictionary of Synonyms
forcible — [adj] powerful, aggressive active, armed, assertive, coercive, cogent, compelling, compulsory, drastic, effective, efficient, energetic, forceful, impressive, intense, mighty, militant, persuasive, potent, puissant, strong, telling, valid,… … New thesaurus
forcible — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ done by force. DERIVATIVES forcibly adverb … English terms dictionary
forcible — [fôr′sə bəl] adj. [ME < OFr] 1. done or effected by force; involving the use of force 2. having force; forceful forcibleness n. forcibly adv … English World dictionary
forcible — forceful, forcible 1. Fowler (1926) identified the difference in meaning as follows: ‘while forcible conveys that force rather than something else is present, forceful conveys that much as opposed to little force is used or shown; compare… … Modern English usage
forcible — for•ci•ble [[t]ˈfɔr sə bəl, ˈfoʊr [/t]] adj. 1) done or effected by force: forcible entry; forcible seizure[/ex] 2) having or producing force; powerfully effective 3) convincing, as reasoning: a forcible theory[/ex] • Etymology: 1350–1400; ME… … From formal English to slang
forcible — forcibleness, forcibility, n. forcibly, adv. /fawr seuh beuhl, fohr /, adj. 1. done or effected by force: forcible entry into a house. 2. producing a powerful effect; having force; effective. 3. convincing, as reasoning: a forcible theory. 4.… … Universalium
forcible — for|ci|ble [ˈfo:sıbəl US ˈfo:r ] adj done using physical force ▪ the forcible overthrow of the government ▪ signs of forcible entry into the building … Dictionary of contemporary English
