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n. [ OF. ] 1. A fortress; a fortification for defense. [ Obs. ] Bailey. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A reënforcement; a strengthening. Hallam. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Afforcement. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

prop. n. A genus of mammals comprising the springbucks (or springboks). The main species is Antidorcas marsupialis the springbuck, of which there are three subspecies: the cape springbuck (marsupialis), the Kalahari springbuck (hofmeyri) and the Angolan springbuck (angolensis).
Syn. -- genus Antidorcas. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

n. a genus of mammals comprising the gnu goats.
Syn. -- genus Budorcas. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

pos>prop. n. Marie Jean Antoine Nicolas de Caritat, Marquis de Condorcet, was a celebrated French philosopher and mathematician, Born at Ribemont, near St. Quentin, France, Sept. 17, 1743: died at Bourg-la-Reine, near Paris, March 28, 1794. . His most important work was on probability and the philosophy of mathematics. He was a deputy to the Legislative Assembly in 1791, and its president 1792, and a deputy to the Convention in 1792, where he sided with the Girondists. After the fall of the latter he was accused (Oct. 3, 1793) with Brissot, and went into hiding in Paris for eight months to save his life. He found shelter with a Madame Vernet. He then left the city, but was arrested at Clamart, near Bourg-la-Reine, and imprisoned. The next morning he was found dead, probably from poison. He contributed to the “Encyclopédie, ” and wrote “Esquisse d'un tableau historique des progrès de l'esprit humain” (1794), and various mathematical works.
His most important mathematical treatise was “Essay on the Application of Analysis to the Probability of Majority Decisions” (1785), an extremely important work in the development of the theory of probability. His work in probability led him to a study of voting methods, and laid the groundwork for the various ranked-pairs voting methods, which are often referred to as Condorcet's Method (for which see here. Robert D. Hilliard + Century Dictionary, 1906 [ PJC ]

Condorcet's method is one of several pairwise methods, which are great methods for electing people in single-seat elections (president, governor, mayor, etc.). Condorcet's method is named after the 18th century election theorist who invented it. Unlike most methods which make you choose the lesser of two evils, Condorcet's method and other pairwise methods let you rank the candidates in the order in which you would see them elected. The way the votes are tallied is by computing the results of separate pairwise elections between all of the candidates, and the winner is the one that wins a majority in all of the pairwise elections.
The best result of this is that if there is Candidate A on one extreme who pulls 40% of the vote, Candidate B in the middle who only pulls 20% of the vote, and Candidate C on the other extreme who pulls 40% of the vote, Candidate B will get elected as a compromise. Why? Because in a two-way contest between A and B, B would win with 60% of the vote, and in a two-way contest between B and C, B would also win with 60% of the vote. (Note that if B is a loony billionaire, he might not be able to win separate pairwise elections against anyone, and this would be reflected with Condorcet's method.)
Condorcet's method lets voters mark their sincere wishes for who they would like to win the election, without having to consider strategy ("I'd vote for Candidate B, but I'm afraid of wasting my vote."). It's really just a logical extension of majority rule when more than two choices are involved. Other pairwise methods, such as Copeland's method and Smith's method, have other desirable characteristics. The best of the pairwise methods is something that is quite debatable.
Wait, I've heard of this before...
You may have. However, there are many methods other methods similar to this one (though in my opinion, inferior), so don't be so sure. In order to be fair, here are a couple of those other methods:
* Majority preference voting (MPV) -- related to PV. Like PV, the voter simply ranks candidates in an order of preference (e. 1. Perot 2. Clinton 3. Bush). The candidate with the least number of first place votes is eliminated, and their votes are "transferred" to their 2nd choice until a candidate has a majority. It is frequently advocated and is better than our current system, but still has some nasty properties (like possibly knocking compromise candidates out of the running early). MPV is actually in use in Australia, among other places. Also known as Hare's Method.
* Approval -- Voters are allowed to vote for all candidates they approve. For example, Bush-Yes Perot-No Clinton-Yes. The candidate with the highest number of "yes" votes wins. For a more complete explanation, see here.
Rob Lanphier (from https://web.archive.org/web/20050722235546/http://www.eskimo.com/~robla/politics/condorcet.html). [ PJC ]

n. [ Nl., fr. L. corchorus a poor kind of pulse, Gr. ko`rchoros a wild plant of bitter taste. ] (Bot.) The common name of the Kerria Japonica or Japan globeflower, a yellow-flowered, perennial, rosaceous plant, seen in old-fashioned gardens. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ , n. [ L. corculum a little heart, dim. of cor heart. ] (Bot.) The heart of the seed; the embryo or germ. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. An opposing force. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) Same as Isorcin. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Deforced p. pr. & vb. n. Deforcing. ] [ OF. deforcier; de- or des- (L. de or dis-) + forcier, F. forcer. See Force, v. ] (Law) (a) To keep from the rightful owner; to withhold wrongfully the possession of, as of lands or a freehold. (b) (Scots Law) To resist the execution of the law; to oppose by force, as an officer in the execution of his duty. Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. ] (Law) (a) A keeping out by force or wrong; a wrongful withholding, as of lands or tenements, to which another has a right. (b) (Scots Law) Resistance to an officer in the execution of law. Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Same as Deforciant. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. deforciant, p. pr. of deforcier. See Deforce. ] (Eng. Law) (a) One who keeps out of possession the rightful owner of an estate. (b) One against whom a fictitious action of fine was brought. [ Obs. ] Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Law) Same as Deforcement, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. divorce, L. divortium, fr. divortere, divertere, to turn different ways, to separate. See Divert. ] 1. (Law) (a) A legal dissolution of the marriage contract by a court or other body having competent authority. This is properly a divorce, and called, technically, divorce a vinculo matrimonii. “from the bond of matrimony.” (b) The separation of a married woman from the bed and board of her husband -- divorce a mensa et toro (or a mensa et thoro), “from bed and board”. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The decree or writing by which marriage is dissolved. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Separation; disunion of things closely united. [ 1913 Webster ]

To make divorce of their incorporate league. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. That which separates. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Bill of divorce. See under Bill. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Divorced p. pr. & vb. n. Divorcing. ] [ Cf. F. divorcer. See Divorce, n. ] 1. To dissolve the marriage contract of, either wholly or partially; to separate by divorce. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To separate or disunite; to sunder. [ 1913 Webster ]

It [ a word ] was divorced from its old sense. Earle. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To make away; to put away. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nothing but death
Shall e'er divorce my dignities. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Capable of being divorced. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. having a marriage legally terminated and having not remarried. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. A person divorced. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Incapable of being divorced or separated; free from divorce. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Dissolution of the marriage tie; divorce; separation. [ 1913 Webster ]

Let him write her a divorcement. Deut. xxiv. 1. [ 1913 Webster ]

The divorcement of our written from our spoken language. R. Morris. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The person or cause that produces or effects a divorce. Drummond. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Divorceable. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Having power to divorce; tending to divorce. “This divorcive law.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The surrounding frame into which a door shuts. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The jamb or sidepiece of a door. Ex. xii. 22 (Douay version). [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ F. ] (Fine Arts) A manikin, or image, representing an animal, especially man, with the skin removed so that the muscles are exposed for purposes of study. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Efforced p. pr. & vb. n. Efforcing ] [ OF. esforcier (F. s'efforcer to exert one's self), LL. exforciare; L. ex + fortis strong. See Force. ] To force; to constrain; to compel to yield. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Enforced p. pr. & vb. n. Enforcing ] [ OF. enforcier to strengthen, force, F. enforcir; pref. en- (L. in) + F. force. See Force. ] 1. To put force upon; to force; to constrain; to compel; as, to enforce obedience to commands. [ 1913 Webster ]

Inward joy enforced my heart to smile. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To make or gain by force; to obtain by force; as, to enforce a passage. “Enforcing furious way.” Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To put in motion or action by violence; to drive. [ 1913 Webster ]

As swift as stones
Enforced from the old Assyrian slings. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To give force to; to strengthen; to invigorate; to urge with energy; as, to enforce arguments or requests. [ 1913 Webster ]

Enforcing sentiment of the thrust humanity. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To put in force; to cause to take effect; to give effect to; to execute with vigor; as, to enforce the laws. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. To urge; to ply hard; to lay much stress upon. [ 1913 Webster ]

Enforce him with his envy to the people. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To attempt by force. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To prove; to evince. [ R. ] Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To strengthen; to grow strong. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Force; strength; power. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

A petty enterprise of small enforce. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Capable of being enforced. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Compelled; forced; not voluntary. “Enforced wrong.” “Enforced smiles.” Shak. -- En*for"ced*ly, adv. Shak. [1913 Webster]

n. [ Cf. OF. enforcement. ] 1. The act of enforcing; compulsion. [ 1913 Webster ]

He that contendeth against these enforcements may easily master or resist them. Sir W. Raleigh. [ 1913 Webster ]

Confess 't was hers, and by what rough enforcement
You got it from her. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A giving force to; a putting in execution. [ 1913 Webster ]

Enforcement of strict military discipline. Palfrey. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. That which enforces, constraints, gives force, authority, or effect to; constraint; force applied. [ 1913 Webster ]

The rewards and punishment of another life, which the Almighty has established as the enforcements of his law. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who enforces. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. That may be enforced. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Serving to enforce or constrain; compulsive. Marsion. -- En*for"cive*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Exorcised p. pr. & vb. n. Exorcising ] [ L. exorcizare, Gr. 'exorki`zein; 'ex out + "orki`zein to make one swear, bind by an oath, fr. "o`rkos oath: cf. F. exorciser. ] 1. To cast out, as a devil, evil spirits, etc., by conjuration or summoning by a holy name, or by certain ceremonies; to expel (a demon) or to conjure (a demon) to depart out of a person possessed by one. [ 1913 Webster ]

He impudently excorciseth devils in the church. Prynne. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To deliver or purify from the influence of an evil spirit or demon. [ 1913 Webster ]

Exorcise the beds and cross the walls. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Mr. Spectator . . . do all you can to exorcise crowds who are . . . processed as I am. Spectator. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. An exorcist. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. exorcismus, Gr. 'exorkizmo`s; cf. F. exorcisme. ] 1. The act of exorcising; the driving out of evil spirits from persons or places by conjuration; also, the form of conjuration used. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Conjuration for raising spirits. [ R. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. exorcista, Gr. 'exorkisth`s: cf. F. exorciste. ] 1. One who expels evil spirits by conjuration or exorcism. [ 1913 Webster ]

Certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists. Acts xix. 13. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A conjurer who can raise spirits. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Thou, like an exorcist, hast conjured up
My mortified spirit. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a covering for the floor of an automobile.
Syn. -- floor covering. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

v. t. To cut completely; to cut off. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ See Farce to stuff. ] To stuff; to lard; to farce. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Wit larded with malice, and malice forced with wit. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. fors, foss, Dan. fos. ] A waterfall; a cascade. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

To see the falls for force of the river Kent. T. Gray. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. force, LL. forcia, fortia, fr. L. fortis strong. See Fort, n. ] 1. Capacity of exercising an influence or producing an effect; strength or energy of body or mind; active power; vigor; might; often, an unusual degree of strength or energy; especially, power to persuade, or convince, or impose obligation; pertinency; validity; special signification; as, the force of an appeal, an argument, a contract, or a term. [ 1913 Webster ]

He was, in the full force of the words, a good man. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Power exerted against will or consent; compulsory power; violence; coercion; as, by force of arms; to take by force. [ 1913 Webster ]

Which now they hold by force, and not by right. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Strength or power for war; hence, a body of land or naval combatants, with their appurtenances, ready for action; -- an armament; troops; warlike array; -- often in the plural; hence, a body of men prepared for action in other ways; as, the laboring force of a plantation; the armed forces. [ 1913 Webster ]

Is Lucius general of the forces? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Law) (a) Strength or power exercised without law, or contrary to law, upon persons or things; violence. (b) Validity; efficacy. Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Physics) Any action between two bodies which changes, or tends to change, their relative condition as to rest or motion; or, more generally, which changes, or tends to change, any physical relation between them, whether mechanical, thermal, chemical, electrical, magnetic, or of any other kind; as, the force of gravity; cohesive force; centrifugal force. [ 1913 Webster ]

Animal force (Physiol.), muscular force or energy. --
Catabiotic force [ Gr. &unr_; down (intens.) + &unr_; life. ] (Biol.), the influence exerted by living structures on adjoining cells, by which the latter are developed in harmony with the primary structures. --
Centrifugal force,
Centripetal force,
Coercive force, etc. See under Centrifugal, Centripetal, etc. --
Composition of forces,
Correlation of forces, etc. See under Composition, Correlation, etc. --
Force and arms [ trans. of L. vi et armis ] (Law), an expression in old indictments, signifying violence. --
In force, or
Of force, of unimpaired efficacy; valid; of full virtue; not suspended or reversed. “A testament is of force after men are dead.” Heb. ix. 17. --
Metabolic force (Physiol.), the influence which causes and controls the metabolism of the body. --
No force, no matter of urgency or consequence; no account; hence, to do no force, to make no account of; not to heed. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. --
Of force, of necessity; unavoidably; imperatively. “Good reasons must, of force, give place to better.” Shak. --
Plastic force (Physiol.), the force which presumably acts in the growth and repair of the tissues. --
Vital force (Physiol.), that force or power which is inherent in organization; that form of energy which is the cause of the vital phenomena of the body, as distinguished from the physical forces generally known.

Syn. -- Strength; vigor; might; energy; stress; vehemence; violence; compulsion; coaction; constraint; coercion. -- Force, Strength. Strength looks rather to power as an inward capability or energy. Thus we speak of the strength of timber, bodily strength, mental strength, strength of emotion, etc. Force, on the other hand, looks more to the outward; as, the force of gravitation, force of circumstances, force of habit, etc. We do, indeed, speak of strength of will and force of will; but even here the former may lean toward the internal tenacity of purpose, and the latter toward the outward expression of it in action. But, though the two words do in a few cases touch thus closely on each other, there is, on the whole, a marked distinction in our use of force and strength. “Force is the name given, in mechanical science, to whatever produces, or can produce, motion.” Nichol. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thy tears are of no force to mollify
This flinty man. Heywood. [ 1913 Webster ]

More huge in strength than wise in works he was. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

Adam and first matron Eve
Had ended now their orisons, and found
Strength added from above, new hope to spring
Out of despair. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Forced p. pr. & vb. n. Forcing ] [ OF. forcier, F. forcer, fr. LL. forciare, fortiare. See Force, n. ] 1. To constrain to do or to forbear, by the exertion of a power not resistible; to compel by physical, moral, or intellectual means; to coerce; as, masters force slaves to labor. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To compel, as by strength of evidence; as, to force conviction on the mind. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To do violence to; to overpower, or to compel by violence to one's will; especially, to ravish; to violate; to commit rape upon. [ 1913 Webster ]

To force their monarch and insult the court. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

I should have forced thee soon wish other arms. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

To force a spotless virgin's chastity. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To obtain, overcome, or win by strength; to take by violence or struggle; specifically, to capture by assault; to storm, as a fortress; as, to force the castle; to force a lock. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To impel, drive, wrest, extort, get, etc., by main strength or violence; -- with a following adverb, as along, away, from, into, through, out, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

It stuck so fast, so deeply buried lay
That scarce the victor forced the steel away. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

To force the tyrant from his seat by war. Sahk. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ethelbert ordered that none should be forced into religion. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. To put in force; to cause to be executed; to make binding; to enforce. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

What can the church force more? J. Webster. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. To exert to the utmost; to urge; hence, to strain; to urge to excessive, unnatural, or untimely action; to produce by unnatural effort; as, to force a conceit or metaphor; to force a laugh; to force fruits. [ 1913 Webster ]

High on a mounting wave my head I bore,
Forcing my strength, and gathering to the shore. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. (Whist) To compel (an adversary or partner) to trump a trick by leading a suit of which he has none. [ 1913 Webster ]

9. To provide with forces; to reënforce; to strengthen by soldiers; to man; to garrison. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

10. To allow the force of; to value; to care for. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

For me, I force not argument a straw. Shak.

Syn. -- To compel; constrain; oblige; necessitate; coerce; drive; press; impel. [ 1913 Webster ]