un-enforceability
verb (used with object), en·forced, en·forc·ing.
1.
2.
to obtain (payment, obedience, etc.) by force or compulsion.
3.
to impose (a course of action) upon a person: The doctor enforced a strict dietary regimen.
4.
to support (a demand, claim, etc.) by force: to enforce one's rights as a citizen.
5.
to impress or urge (an argument, contention, etc.) forcibly; lay stress upon: He enforced his argument by adding details.
Origin:
1275–1325; Middle English enforcen < Anglo-French enforcer, Old French enforcier, enforc(ir), equivalent to en- en-1 + forci(e)r to force
1275–1325; Middle English enforcen < Anglo-French enforcer, Old French enforcier, enforc(ir), equivalent to en- en-1 + forci(e)r to force
Related forms
en·force·a·ble, adjective
en·force·a·bil·i·ty, noun
sɪd en·forc·er, noun
en·forc·ive, adjective
half-en·forced, adjective
non·en·force·a·ble, adjective
non·en·forced, adjective
non·en·for·ced·ly, adverb
non·en·forc·ing, adjective
pre·en·force, verb (used with object), pre·en·forced, pre·en·forc·ing.
qua·si-en·forced, adjective
un·en·force·a·bil·i·ty, noun
un·en·force·a·ble, adjective
un·en·forced, adjective
un·en·forc·ed·ly, adverb
well-en·forced, adjective
Synonyms
1. administer, impose, execute, apply.
1. administer, impose, execute, apply.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To un-enforceability
00:10
Un-enforceability
is always a great word to know.
So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:
| a gadget; dingus; thingumbob. |
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
enforce (ɪnˈfɔːs) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | to ensure observance of or obedience to (a law, decision, etc) |
| 2. | to impose (obedience, loyalty, etc) by or as by force |
| 3. | to emphasize or reinforce (an argument, demand, etc) |
| en'forceable | |
| —adj | |
| enforcea'bility | |
| —n | |
| enforcedly | |
| —adv | |
| en'forcement | |
| —n | |
| en'forcer | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
enforce
mid-14c., from en- "make, put in" + force. Related: Enforced; enforcing.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Nearby Words
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