1. One who, or that which, forces or drives.
2. (Mech.) (a) The solid piston of a force pump; the instrument by which water is forced in a pump. (b) A small hand pump for sinking pits, draining cellars, etc.
FORCIBLE For"ci*ble, a. Etym: [Cf. OF. forcible forcible, forceable that may be forced.]
1. Possessing force; characterized by force, efficiency, or energy;
powerful; efficacious; impressive; influential.
How forcible are right words! Job. vi. 2
Sweet smells are most forcible in dry substances, when broken. Bacon.
But I have reasons strong and forcible. Shak.
That punishment which hath been sometimes forcible to bridle sin.
Hooker.
He is at once elegant and sublime, forcible and ornamented. Lowth
(Transl. )
2. Violent; impetuous. Like mingled streams, more forcible when joined. Prior.
3. Using force against opposition or resistance; obtained by compulsion; effected by force; as, forcible entry or abduction. In embraces of King James . . . forcible and unjust. Swift. Forcible entry and detainer (Law), the entering upon and taking and withholding of land and tenements by actual force and violence, and with a strong hand, to the hindrance of the person having the right to enter.
Syn. — Violent; powerful; strong; energetic; mighty; potent; weighty; impressive; cogent; influential.
FORCIBLE-FEEBLE
For"ci*ble-fee`ble, a. Etym: [From Feeble, a character in the Second
Part of Shakespeare's "King Henry IV.," to whom Falstaff derisively
applies the epithet "forcible.">[
Defn: Seemingly vigorous, but really weak or insipid. He [Prof. Ayton] would purge his book of much offensive matter, if he struck out epithets which are in the bad taste of the forcible-feeble school. N. Brit. Review.
FORCIBLENESS
For"ci*ble*ness, n.