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Compile vs Compel - What's the difference?

compile | compel |

In transitive terms the difference between compile and compel

is that compile is to put together; to assemble; to make by gathering things from various sources while compel is to exact, extort, (make) produce by force.

In obsolete terms the difference between compile and compel

is that compile is to write; to compose while compel is to call forth; to summon.

As a noun compile

is an act of compiling code.

compile

English

Verb

(compil)
  • To put together; to assemble; to make by gathering things from various sources.
    • Samuel Johnson compiled one of the most influential dictionaries of the English language.
  • (obsolete) To construct, build.
  • * 1590 , (Edmund Spenser), The Faerie Queene , III.3:
    • Before that Merlin dyde, he did intend / A brasen wall in compas to compyle / About Cairmardin [...].
  • (computing) To use a compiler to process source code and produce executable code.
    • After I compile this program I'll run it and see if it works.
  • (computing) To be successfully processed by a compiler into executable code.
    • There must be an error in my source code because it won't compile .
  • (obsolete) To contain or comprise.
  • * Spenser
    • Which these six books compile .
  • (obsolete) To write; to compose.

    • Derived terms

    * compiler, compilator

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (computing) An act of compiling code.
  • * 1985 , Robert A Stern, An Introduction to Computers and Information Processing
    • ...programming team managers assumed the "improved programs" produced through structured programming would not require as many compiles during development.
  • * 2007 , Scott Meyers, Mike Lee, MAC OS X Leopard: Beyond the Manual
    • Any file with an error or warning on it will be added to this smart group until the next compile .

    Anagrams

    * English ergative verbs ----

    compel

    English

    Verb

  • (transitive, archaic, literally) To drive together, round up (rfex)
  • To overpower; to subdue.
  • * 1917 , , King Coal , ch. 16,
    • She had one of those perfect faces, which irresistibly compel the soul of a man.
  • To force, constrain or coerce.
    • Logic compels''' the wise, while fools feel '''compelled by emotions.
  • * 1600 , , Julius Caesar , act 5, sc. 1,
    • Against my will, / As Pompey was, am I compell’d to set / Upon one battle all our liberties.
  • * Hallam
    • Wolsey compelled the people to pay up the whole subsidy at once.
  • To exact, extort, (make) produce by force.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Commissions, which compel from each / The sixth part of his substance.
  • * 1912 , , Sky Island , ch. 14,
    • The Queen has nothing but the power to execute the laws, to adjust grievances and to compel order.
  • (obsolete) To force to yield; to overpower; to subjugate.
  • * Dryden
    • Easy sleep their weary limbs compelled .
  • * Tennyson
    • I compel all creatures to my will.
  • (obsolete) To gather or unite in a crowd or company.
  • * Dryden
    • in one troop compelled
  • (obsolete) To call forth; to summon.
  • * Spenser
    • She had this knight from far compelled .
    (Chapman)

    Derived terms

    * compellable * compeller * compelling * compellation * compel testimony

    References

    * * * Random House Webster’s Unabridged Electronic Dictionary , 1987-1996. English control verbs English transitive verbs