force-n; 10 Senses

Sense Number 1: a measure of physical strength or power

Commentary: FORCE[+quantity][+measure][+strength]

Physicists have wondered why gravity is such a weak force compared to the other three forces.
It was measured as a Force 10 hurricane on the Beaufort scale.
The truck hit the wall with great force.
We used all our force to lift the boat onto the trailer.
The force of a 44 Magnum's bullet going through the skull would not leave such a small hole as this.

WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 2, 3

Sense Number 2: a military or disciplinary body

Commentary: FORCE[+group][+human][+disciplinary][+military/+police]

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff oversees all the armed forces.
Bob retired from the police force last year.
Napoleon's forces were fatally weakened by the Russian winter.
They sent a force of ten thousand men into the battlefield.

WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 5

Sense Number 3: causal agent, often powerful, usually abstract

Commentary: FORCE[+causal][+agent][+powerful]
NOTE: can be human, but does not imply this.

In the chess world, he is a force to be reckoned with.
The spiritualists thought they felt the presence of an evil force in the room.
Those are forces beyond anyone's control.
Economists predict the industry's pricing will succumb to the forces of the free market.

WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 7

Sense Number 4: a group, usually people, that is available for a societal purpose

Commentary: FORCE[+group][+social][+utility]
NOTE: Sense 4 does -not- imply the group advocates anything, making it different from Sense 7

Immigrants provide a continuous boost to the labor forces of low birthrate nations.
They've organized a task force to look into this problem.
Their company has had two reductions in force this year.
The treaty specifies reducing the missile force by fifty percent in five years.
Young people entering the work force today face global competition.

WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 4

Sense Number 5: the quality of being impressive or effective

Commentary: FORCE[+quality][+influential]

There is no force to his argument.
The force of his portrait paintings lies in the expressiveness of the subjects' eyes.
In that film John portrays an aging playwright with force and conviction.

WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 6: physical aggression or violence

Commentary: FORCE[+activity][+physical][+aggressive]

The military leaders expected the force of shock and awe to subdue the enemy.
If negotiations break down the two countries may resort to force.
The terrorists took the women by force.

WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 6

Sense Number 7: social organization that advocates something, often effectively

Commentary: FORCE[+group][+social][+advocacy]

MADD has been a grassroots force to strengthen and enforce the laws against drunk driving.
Several political groups are joining forces to orchestrate a big demonstration next week.
These days too many politicians are being influenced by lobbyists and other forces around Washington.

WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 8

Sense Number 8: a state of validity or being in effect

Commentary: FORCE[+state][+validity]

This ruling will remain in force unless it is overturned by new legislation.
The dress code is still in force at the French restaurant downtown.
There was a curfew in force last month during the riots.

WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 9

Sense Number 9: an obligatory play in baseball

Commentary: FORCE[+activity][+sports][+play]

The runner was out by a force at third base.
The shortstop made a force at second, ending the inning.

WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 10

Sense Number 10: in great numbers

Commentary: Idiom in_force

Picnickers were out in force on the beautiful Saturday afternoon.
The glitterati appeared in force on opening night of the new Broadway musical.

WordNet 0.0 Sense Numbers: idiom