[W/K] :: COERCION

  Coercion \Co*er"cion\, n. [L. coercio, fr. coercere. See
     Coerce.]
     1. The act or process of coercing.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Law) The application to another of either physical or
        moral force. When the force is physical, and cannot be
        resisted, then the act produced by it is a nullity, so far
        as concerns the party coerced. When the force is moral,
        then the act, though voidable, is imputable to the party
        doing it, unless he be so paralyzed by terror as to act
        convulsively. At the same time coercion is not negatived
        by the fact of submission under force. "Coactus volui" (I
        consented under compulsion) is the condition of mind
        which, when there is volition forced by coercion, annuls
        the result of such coercion. --Wharton.
        [1913 Webster]

  coercion
       n 1: the act of compelling by force of authority
       2: using force to cause something; "though pressed into rugby
          under compulsion I began to enjoy the game"; "they didn`t
          have to use coercion" [syn: compulsion]

  20 Moby Thesaurus words for "coercion":
     argumentum baculinum, compulsion, constraint, duress,
     high pressure, intimidation, menace, menacing, pressure,
     strong-arm tactics, the big stick, the bludgeon, the club,
     the jackboot, the mailed fist, the strong arm, the sword, threat,
     threatening, violence
  
  

  coercion
       
          implicit type conversion
       
       

  COERCION, criminal law, contracts. Constraint; compulsion; force.
       2. It is positive or presumed. 1. Positive or direct coercion takes 
  place when a man is by physical force compelled to do an act contrary to his 
  will; for example, when a man falls into the hands of the enemies of his 
  country, and they compel him, by a just fear of death, to fight against it. 
       3.-2. It is presumed where a person is legally under subjection to 
  another, and is induced, in consequence of such subjection, to do an act 
  contrary to his win. A married woman, for example, is legally under the 
  subjection of her husband, and if in his company she commit a crime or 
  offence, not malum in se, (except the offence of keeping a bawdy-house, In 
  which case she is considered by the policy of the law as a principal, she is 
  presumed to act under this coercion. 
       4. As will (q.v.) is necessary to the commission of a crime, or the 
  making of a contract, a person coerced into either, has no will on the, 
  subject, and is not responsible. Vide Roscoe's Cr. Ev. 7 85, and the cases 
  there cited; 2 Stark. Ev. 705, as to what will, amount to coercion in 
  criminal cases.