Enforced Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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enforced

[ษชnหˆfษ”rst ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

legal context

The term 'enforced' refers to the act of compelling obedience to a law, rule, or obligation. It often involves the use of authority or coercion to ensure compliance. Enforced actions may include penalties or legal actions taken against those who do not adhere to regulations. This term is commonly used in discussions about law enforcement and the implementation of policies.

Synonyms

administered, applied, imposed.

Examples of usage

  • The regulations are strictly enforced to ensure safety.
  • She enforced the dress code at her school.
  • Laws are enforced by various governmental agencies.
  • The treaty was enforced by international laws.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Legal Context

  • In legal terms, enforcement refers to ensuring compliance with laws or regulations, often through authorities like police or regulatory bodies.
  • Law enforcement agencies are tasked with upholding the law and ensuring that laws are enforced fairly and consistently.

Social Dynamics

  • Social norms are often enforced by communities; for instance, communities may encourage certain behaviors by rewarding conformity.
  • Status and reputation can also play roles in how social rules are enforced within groups.

Psychological Perspective

  • The need for enforcement can stem from human psychology; people often require clear rules to feel safe and organized.
  • Studies show that people are more likely to follow rules when they understand the consequences of not doing so.

In Popular Culture

  • Movies often depict characters who enforce rules, such as police in crime dramas or vigilantes in superhero stories.
  • The term has been used in various song lyrics to express themes of control and governance.

Origin of 'enforced'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'enforced' comes from the Middle English 'enforcen', which means to strengthen or to force.
  • It is derived from the combination of the prefix 'en-', meaning 'to cause to be', and 'force', which relates to power or strength.

The word 'enforced' comes from the Middle English 'enforcen', which is derived from the Old French 'enforcier'. The roots can be traced back to Latin, where the term 'forcia' signifies 'strength' or 'force'. Originally, the concept involved the physical act of making something happen by applying power or coercion. Over time, its applications widened to encompass legal and regulatory frameworks where compliance is mandatory. The evolution of the word reflects the increasing importance of authority and governance in society as it shifted from mere physical force to more structured legal enforcement.


Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,850, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.