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Webster 1913 Edition

Forcible

For′ci-ble

,
Adj.
[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[GREEK].
Sweet smells are most
forcible
in dry substances, when broken.
Bacon.
But I have reasons strong and
forcible
.
Shakespeare
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.
Syn. – Violent; powerful; strong; energetic; mighty; potent; weighty; impressive; cogent; influential.

Webster 1828 Edition

Forcible

FORCIBLE

, a.
1.
Powerful; strong; mighty; as a punishment forcible to bridle sin.
2.
Violent; impetuous; driving forward with force; as a forcible stream.
3.
Efficacious; active; powerful.
Sweet smells are most forcible in dry substances when broken.
4.
Powerful; acting with force; impressive; as forcible words or arguments.
5.
Containing force; acting by violence; as forcible means.
6.
Done by force; suffered by force. The abdication of James, his advocates hold to have been forcible.
7.
Valid; binding; obligatory. [Not used.]
8.
In law, forcible entry is an actual violent entry into houses or lands.
Forcible detainer, is a violent withholding of the lands, &c. of another from his possession.
Forcible abduction, is the act of taking away wrongfully, as a child without the consent of the father, a ward without the consent of the guardian, or any person contrary to his or her will.

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