a. [f. L. type *coactīv-us, f. coact- + -IVE. F. has coactif, -ive, in 14th c.]
1. Of the nature of force or compulsion; coercive, compulsory. (Qualifying power or the like; never persons. Frequent in 17th c.; now rare.)
1605. T. Bell, Motives conc. Romish Faith, 2. The Pope hath no power coactiue ouer any King.
1642. Jer. Taylor, Episc. (1647), 91. A coactive, or coercitive jurisdiction.
1750. Johnson, Rambler, No. 57, ¶ 7. I do not see any coactive necessity that many should be without the conveniences of life.
1865. Pusey, Eiren., 77–8. The coactive and usurped power of the Pope.
† b. In passive sense: Of an enforced kind, compulsory. Obs.
1596. Bell, Surv. Popery, I. I. xvi. 64. Coactive fasting is … by reason of famine [etc.].
1636. Prynne, Unbish. Tim. (1661), 35. His residence there was … at his own pleasure, not coactive.
1661. Ussher, Power Princes, I. (1683), 68. They are free from all coactive obedience to them.
1611. Shaks., Wint. T., I. ii. 141. With what’s vnreall thou coactiue art, and follow’st nothing.
1841–4. Emerson, Ess., Ser. II. ii. (1878), 62. The evolution was not from one central point, but coactive from three or more points.
Hence Coactively adv., by way of compulsion.
a. 1641. Bp. Mountagu, Acts & Mon., 410. Inforcing coactively, impelling violently all men.
1658. Bramhall, Schisme Garded, 177 (L.). All Legislative Judiciary and dispensative power, Coactively in the exteriour Court of the Church, over English Subjects.
