Compulsory
/kəmˈpʌl.sər.i/noun
Required by authority, rule, or law.
Did you know?The word descends from Latin compellere, meaning “to drive or force together,” a root also connected to words describing pulses, repulsion, and propulsion.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*pel-
“To thrust, strike, drive, or push”
Classical Latin
Latin
pellere
“To drive, push, or force”
Classical Latin
Latin
compellere
“To drive together; to force or compel”
Late Latin
Latin
compulsorius
“That which compels or enforces”
17th Century
English
compulsory
“Required by force, authority, or obligation”
Modern English
English
compulsory
“Mandatory; required by rule or law”