The word "compulsory" is spelled with the letters C-O-M-P-U-L-S-O-R-Y. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is written as /kəmˈpʌlsəri/. The first syllable "com" is pronounced with a short "u" sound, followed by the "pul" which is pronounced with a short "u" sound as well. The final syllable "sory" is pronounced with a long "o" sound. This word is commonly used to describe something that is required or mandatory, such as a compulsory class or attendance.
Compulsory, as an adjective, refers to something that is required or obligatory. It implies that participation, action, or adherence is mandatory and cannot be avoided or ignored. When a certain activity, rule, or law is described as compulsory, it means that it must be followed or obeyed by anyone falling under its jurisdiction or scope.
In the context of education, compulsory education refers to the legal requirement for all children to attend school for a specific period. This ensures that every child receives a basic level of education. Failure to comply with compulsory schooling laws can lead to penalties for parents or legal guardians.
Additionally, compulsory military service is a policy in some countries where citizens must serve in the military for a designated period. This requirement may be imposed to maintain a strong and well-trained defense force, or to instill a sense of national duty and responsibility among citizens.
Compulsory can also describe certain acts or activities that are mandatory for individuals depending on their circumstances or occupation. For instance, in some countries, wearing seatbelts while driving is compulsory to ensure safety on the roads.
To summarize, compulsory means being required or obligatory, and carries the sense that compliance or participation is mandatory and cannot be avoided or neglected.
Not of choice; not voluntary; having the power to compel.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "compulsory" originated from the Latin word "compulsus", which is the past participle of the verb "compellere". "Compellere" is formed by combining the prefix "com-" (meaning "together" or "with") and the verb "pellere" (meaning "to drive" or "to push"). Therefore, "compulsus" can be translated as "driven together" or "pushed together". Over time, the meaning of "compellere" shifted to imply the act of forcing someone to do something against their will. From Latin, the word "compulsory" was derived in the late 16th century in English, retaining its notion of something required or mandated without choice.