compulsive - Definitions from Dictionary.com

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Complusive
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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

com·pul·sive

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m-puhl-siv] Pronunciation Key

–adjective

1.	compelling; compulsory.

Psychology.

a.	pertaining to, characterized by, or involving compulsion: a compulsive desire to cry.

b.	governed by an obsessive need to conform, be scrupulous, etc., coupled with an inability to express positive emotions.

–noun

3.	Psychology. a person whose behavior is governed by a compulsion.

[Origin: 1595–1605; obs. compulse v. (< L compuls(us), ptp. of compellere; see compulsion) + -ive

]

—Related forms

com·pul·sive·ly, adverb

com·pul·sive·ness, com·pul·siv·i·ty

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m-puhl-siv-i-tee, kom-puhl-] Pronunciation Key, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
compulsive

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

com·pul·sive Audio Help (kəm-pŭl'sĭv) Pronunciation Key
adj.

Having the capacity to compel: a frightening, compulsive novel.
Psychology Caused or conditioned by compulsion or obsession.

n. A person with behavior patterns governed by a compulsion.

com·pul'sive·ly adv., com·pul'sive·ness, com'pul·siv'i·ty (kŏm'pŭl-sĭv'ĭ-tē, kəm-) n.

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

compulsive
adjective
1.	caused by or suggestive of psychological compulsion; "compulsive drinking"
2.	strongly motivated to succeed
noun
1.	a person with a compulsive disposition; someone who feels compelled to do certain things