Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
compressor
comprimario
comprise
compromise
compromising
Compton
Compton effect
comptroller
compulsion
compulsive
compulsory
compulsory purchase
compunction
compurgation
computation
computationally secure
compute
Click to move down the list of words
Also available:

World English Dictionary
Dictionnaire Français

compulsion

com·pul·sion [ kəm púlshən ] (plural com·pul·sions)


noun 
Definition:
 
1. force: a force that makes somebody do something

2. compelling: an act of compelling or the state of being compelled
You are under no compulsion to leave.

3. psychology psychological force: a psychological and usually irrational force that makes somebody do something, often unwillingly
felt an irresistible compulsion

[14th century. Via French< late Latin compulsion-< Latin compuls-, past participle of compellere (see compel)]
Advertisement

© 2009 Microsoft