enforce

Pronunciation

• IPA: UK /ɪnˈfɔːs/, US /enˈfɔːrs/^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Old French enforcier (“to exert force”) and enforcir, to strengthen,^[2][3][4] from Late Latin *infortiāre, *infortīre,^[2][4] from in-, in, and fortis, strong (see force).^[2][3][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

To make an effort: probably about 1343;^[2] to strengthen a fortress, 1340–70 in the OED;^[6] to drive by physical force, the mid-14th century in Etymonline.^[3]

Semantic evolution

To force or compel is from 1350.^[2] In the late 14th century it also meant to reinforce, strengthen an argument, and grow stronger,^[3] and to press home or emphasize from the 15th century.^[4] The meaning to compel obedience to a law is attested from the 1640s.^[3] Enforcement is from 1475, in Caxton,^[2] and enforceable from 1589.^[2] The NODE notes it was formerly also written inforce.^[5]

Timeline

• c. 1343 – to make an effort.^[2]
• 1350 – to compel.^[2]
• 1475 – enforcement.^[2]
• 1589 – enforceable.^[2]
• 1640s – to enforce a law.^[3]

Modern meaning

Verb

1. To make sure that a law or rule is obeyed.
2. To impose by force: to enforce silence.
3. To strengthen or emphasize an argument.

Word family

• enforceability
• enforceable
• enforcement
• enforcer
• enforcive
• nonenforced
• nonenforcing
• reenforce

Related words

• force
• reinforce
• fortify

References

1. ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
3. ^ a b c d e f Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b c Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
5. ^ a b Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
6. ^ Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press