Compellent

/kəmˈpɛlənt/ adjective

Definition

Having the power to compel; capable of driving or forcing someone to act in a particular way.

Etymology

From Latin compellens, the present participle of compellere (to drive together), where com- means 'together' and pellere means 'to push or drive.' The -ent suffix indicates the quality of performing that action.

Kelly Says

Compellent is a rare adjective that linguistically mirrors 'compelling,' but it has nearly vanished from modern usage. Medieval philosophers actually preferred compellent when discussing logical arguments that 'drove' one toward a conclusion—it was the technical term in scholastic debate.

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