force (subs.) Copy link Outline I. Strength, energy1. vis, vim, vi; pl. vīres, f. (in most senses of the Eng.)2. mănus, ūs, f. (meton.3. mōmentum (of that which determines things one way or another)4. impĕtus, ūsII. Military1. cōpiae, arum2. vīres, ium, f. (in milit. sense, troops with reference to their strength as a whole) • force (subs.): I. Strength, energy: 1. vis, vim, vi; pl. vīres, f. (in most senses of the Eng.): the f. of a current, v. fluminis, Caes.: Lucr.: f. (violence) is repelled by f., vis vi repellitur, Cic. Of immaterial things: f. of intellect, v. ingenii, Cic.: the entire f. (essence or nature) of friendship, omnis v. amicitiae, Cic. Am. 4, 15: the f. (power) of conscience, v. conscientiae, Cic. Mil. 23, 61: baffled by the f. of truth, repulsus veritatis viribus, Phaedr. 1, 1, fin. 2. mănus, ūs, f. (meton.: "main f."): in this sense usu. pl.: to keep one's liberty by f., libertatem per manus retinere, Sall. Jug. 31, ad fin.: the matter came to f. and fighting, res venit ad manus et ad pugnam, Cic.: v. violence. 3. mōmentum (of that which determines things one way or another): v. influence, weight. 4. impĕtus, ūs: v. impetuosity, energy. Phr.: f. of style, nervi, Cic. Or. 19, 62: Hor. A. P. 26 (v. vigour): to be in f. (of laws), valēre, Cic. in Sen. 5, 11: they don't comprehend the f. of this word, hoc verbum quid valeat non intelligunt, Cic. Off. 3, 9, 39 (v. meaning): to lose f., obsolescere, cf. Cic. Sext. 28, 60 (v. obsolete, to become). II. Military: 1. cōpiae, arum: cavalry and infantry f.s, equestres et pedestres c., Cic. Fin. 2, 34, 112: to raise large f.s, magnas c. comparare, Cic.: Caes. Dimin., copiolae, petty f.s, D. Brut. in Cic. Fam. 11, 13. 2. vīres, ium, f. (in milit. sense, troops with reference to their strength as a whole): sufficient f.s for an engagement, satis virium ad certamen, Liv. 3, 60: sometimes appy. simply = copiae: cf. Liv. 9, 13, extr., undique contractis viribus cum Papirio conferre. See also troops.