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Decree vs Compel - What's the difference?

decree | compel |

As verbs the difference between decree and compel

is that decree is to command by a decree while compel is (transitive|archaic|literally) to drive together, round up.

As a noun decree

is an edict or law.

decree

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • An edict or law.
  • * Bible, Luke ii. 1
    • There went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Poor hand, why quiverest thou at this decree ?
  • (legal) The judicial decision in a litigated cause rendered by a court of equity.
  • (legal) The determination of a cause in a court of admiralty or court of probate.

    • Usage notes

    * It is accurate to use the word judgment' for a decision of a '''court of law''', and '''decree''' from a ' court of equity , although the former term now includes both.

    Derived terms

    * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l)

    Verb

    (d)
  • To command by a decree.
    • A court decrees a restoration of property.
  • * Bible, Job xxii. 28
    • Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee.

    Anagrams

    *

    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