compulsory [kuhm-puhl-suh-ree] Word Origin adjective
- required; mandatory; obligatory: compulsory education.
- using compulsion; compelling; constraining: compulsory measures to control rioting.
noun, plural com·pul·so·ries.
- something, as an athletic feat, that must be performed or completed as part of a contest or competition: The ice skater received a higher score on the compulsories than on her freestyle performance.
Origin of compulsory 1510–20; Medieval Latin compulsōrius, equivalent to Latin compul-, variant stem of compellere (see compel) + -sōrius, for -tōrius -tory1; cf. compulsive Related formscom·pul·so·ri·ly, adverbcom·pul·so·ri·ness, nounnon·com·pul·so·ri·ly, adverbnon·com·pul·so·ri·ly·ness, nounnon·com·pul·so·ry, adjectivequa·si-com·pul·so·ri·ly, adverbqua·si-com·pul·so·ry, adjectiveun·com·pul·so·ry, adjectiveAntonyms for compulsory 1, 2. voluntary. British Dictionary definitions for quasi-compulsory compulsory adjective
- required by regulations or laws; obligatorycompulsory education
- involving or employing compulsion; compelling; necessary; essential
Derived Formscompulsorily, adverbcompulsoriness, noun Word Origin and History for quasi-compulsory compulsory adj.
1580s, from Medieval Latin compulsorius, from Latin compulsus, past participle of compellere (see compel).