Akademik

force ¹ n

1: a cause of motion, activity, or change

intervening force: a force that acts after another's negligent act or omission has occurred and that causes injury to another: intervening cause at cause

irresistible force: an unforeseeable event esp. that prevents performance of an obligation under a contract: force majeure

2: a body of persons available for a particular end

the labor force; specif: police force

— usu. used with the

3: violence, compulsion, or constraint exerted upon or against a person or thing

constructive force: the use of threats or intimidation for the purpose of gaining control over or preventing resistance from another

dead·ly force: force that is intended to cause or that carries a substantial risk of causing death or serious bodily injury compare nondeadly force in this entry

◇ As a general rule, deadly force may be used without incurring criminal or tort liability when one reasonably believes that one's life or safety is in danger. In some cases, a person's unreasonable belief in the need for deadly force has been used to justify reducing a charge of murder to voluntary manslaughter. Additionally, a police officer is generally justified in using deadly force to prevent the escape of a suspect who threatens the officer or who the officer has probable cause to believe has committed a violent crime.

lawful force: force that is considered justified under the law and does not create criminal or tort liability compare unlawful force in this entry

mod·er·ate force /'mä-də-rət-/: nondeadly force in this entry

non·dead·ly force: force that is intended to cause minor bodily injury; also: a threat (as by the brandishing of a gun) to use deadly force – called also moderate force; compare deadly force in this entry

reasonable force: Lawful force that is reasonably necessary to accomplish a particular end (as preventing theft of one's property)

unlawful force: force that is not justified under the law and therefore is considered a tort or crime or both compare lawful force in this entry

in force: valid and operative

a life insurance policy in force