enforce (also “inforce”; the sense of compelling the observance of a law is post-S.)
1.
to drive by force
2H4 IV. i. 71
“e-'d from our most
quiet sphere By the rough torrent of
occasion,”
H5 IV. vii. 66
“as swift as stones E-d
from the old Assyrian slings.”
2.
to obtain or produce
by physical or moral force LLL. III. i. 79, IV. i. 82,
AYL. II. iii. 32
“ A thievish
living,”
John I. i. 18, H5 III. vii. 31, Tim. V. iv. 45, Ant. I. iii. 7,
Lucr. 181
“As from this cold flint
I enforc'd this fire.”
3.
to use force upon
Cæs. IV. iii.
111; (hence) press upon, urge (a person)
Cor. III. iii. 3.
4.
to urge the
performance of (a thing)
R2 IV. i. 90
“we will his
trial,”
Cor. III. iii. 21,
Lr. II. iii. 20
“Enforce their
charity.”
5.
to put forward
strongly, lay stress upon Meas. V. i.
262, Cor. II. iii. 227,
Cæs. III. ii. 43
“his glory not
extenuated; . . . nor his offences
e-d,”
Ant. II. ii. 103; absol.
Ant. V. ii. 124.
6.
to obtrude (a thing)
“on”
All'sW. II. i.
129.
