enforcement English · revision 5362

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1475|origins=fro enforcement}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ɪnˈfɔːs.mənt/, /enˈfɔːs.mənt/, US /enˈfɔːrs.mənt/, /ɪnˈfɔːrs.mənt/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fro|enforcement|t=strengthening; compulsion]], from enforcier “to strengthen, compel”,^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) so that it is related to [[enforce]] and [[force]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Constraint, compulsion: 1475 in the OED, the late 15th century in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Doing violence to or overpowering someone is from 1577–87,^(OED 1989) and urging a demand or pressing an argument from 1586.^(OED 1989) The forcible exacting of a payment, or compelling obedience to a law, is from 1597 in the OED, the 1680s in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) Strengthening something, especially an armed force, is from 1643.^(OED 1989) Compounds such as ''enforcement officer'' are from 1946.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1475 – compulsion.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1586 – pressing an argument.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1597 – compelling obedience.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1946 – ''enforcement officer''.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The act of making people obey a law, rule or order.^(MWU 2024)

+ # The act of [[enforce|alt=enforcing]] something.^(MWU 2024)

+ # Compulsion, especially by force.^(MWU 2024)

+ # Forceful urging of a claim or argument.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[nonenforcement]]

+ * [[proenforcement]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[enforce]]

+ * [[force]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}