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compulsively

 - 4 dictionary results

com⋅pul⋅sive

  [kuhm-puhl-siv]
–adjective
1. compelling; compulsory.
2. 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.
Use compulsively in a Sentence
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  [kuhm-puhl-siv-i-tee, kom-puhl-] , noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To compulsively
com·pul·sive   (kəm-pŭl'sĭv)   
adj.  

  1. Having the capacity to compel: a frightening, compulsive novel.

  2. 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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 2compulsive
Function: noun
: one who is subject to a psychological compulsion
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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compulsive com·pul·sive (kəm-pŭl'sĭv)
adj.
Caused or conditioned by compulsion or obsession. n.
A person with behavior patterns governed by a compulsion.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
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