enforce

Etymology

From Middle English enforcen, from Old French enforcier, from Late Latin infortiāre, from in- + fortis (“strong”).

verb

1. To keep up, impose or bring into effect something, not necessarily by force.
   The police are there to enforce the law.
   1929, Chiang Kai-shek, quoted in “Nationalist Notes,” Time, 11 February, 1929, Our task is only half finished. It will be my duty to enforce the decisions of the conference and I hereby pledge myself to that end.
   Far from needing to be repealed, the ban on politics in the pulpit ought to be enforced more aggressively. 8 September 2013, “The pulpit should be free of politics”, in Los Angeles Times
2. To give strength or force to; to affirm, to emphasize.
   The victim was able to enforce his evidence against the alleged perpetrator.
3. (obsolete, transitive) To strengthen (a castle, town etc.) with extra troops, fortifications etc.
4. (obsolete, transitive) To intensify, make stronger, add force to.
5. (obsolete, reflexive) To exert oneself, to try hard.
6. (obsolete) To compel, oblige (someone or something); to force.
   In a few minutes I was stealthily groping my way down my own staircase, with a box of matches in my hand, enforced by scientific curiosity, but none the less armed with a stick. 1899, E. OE. Somerville, Martin Ross, Some Experiences of an Irish R.M., Great Uncle McCarthy
7. (obsolete) To make or gain by force; to force.
   to enforce a passage
8. (obsolete) To put in motion or action by violence; to drive.
9. (obsolete) To give force to; to strengthen; to invigorate; to urge with energy.
   to enforce arguments or requests
10. (obsolete) To urge; to ply hard; to lay much stress upon.
11. (obsolete) To prove; to evince.