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compulsive. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
compulsive, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
compulsive in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
compulsive you have here. The definition of the word
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English
Etymology
Borrowed from French compulsif, formed from Latin compulsus, past participle of compellere (“to compel”), from com- (“together”) + pellere (“to drive”).
Pronunciation
Adjective
compulsive (comparative more compulsive, superlative most compulsive)
- Uncontrolled or reactive and irresistible.
Jenny is a compulsive liar - don't believe a thing she says.
- Having power to compel; exercising or applying compulsion.
a. 1729, Samuel Clarke, The Doctrines of Religion reasonable to be believed:Religion is […] inconsistent with all compulsive Motives.
Derived terms
Translations
uncontrolled or reactive and unconscious
Noun
compulsive (plural compulsives)
- One who exhibits compulsive behaviours.
Further reading
- “compulsive”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
- “compulsive”, in The Century Dictionary , New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
- “compulsive”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.
French
Pronunciation
Adjective
compulsive
- feminine singular of compulsif
Italian
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /kom.pulˈsi.ve/
- Rhymes: -ive
- Hyphenation: com‧pul‧sì‧ve
Adjective
compulsive
- feminine plural of compulsivo