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Compulsion

//kəmˈpʌl.ʃən// noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    An irrational need or irresistible urge to perform some action, often despite negative consequences. countable, uncountable

    "During the basketball game, I had a sudden compulsion to have a smoke."

  2. 2
    using force to cause something to occur wordnet
  3. 3
    The use of authority, influence, or other power to force (compel) a person or persons to act. countable, uncountable

    "From the opening of the City & South London Railway independent electric locomotives were used under compulsion of the Board of Trade."

  4. 4
    an urge to do or say something that might be better left undone or unsaid wordnet
  5. 5
    The lawful use of violence (i.e. by the administration). countable, uncountable
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  1. 6
    an irrational motive for performing trivial or repetitive actions, even against your will wordnet

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French compulsion, from Late Latin compulsiō, from Latin compellere (“to compel, coerce”); see compel.

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