v. Obs. Forms: 5–6 coart(e, 5–7 cohart(e, 6–9 coarct. [ad. L. coarct-āre (properly -artāre) to press together, contract, confine, also to compel, constrain, f. CO- + artāre to press close, contract, f. artus confined. See ART v.1, and cf. F. coärcter (in Palsgr. and Cotgr.).]
1. trans. To press or draw together; to compress, constrict, contract, tighten.
c. 1420. Pallad. on Husb., III. 1131. With paper best and leest are thai coarted.
1545. Raynold, Byrth Mankynde, II. ii. 52. Alome … or any such thynges which do coarct and constrayne. Ibid. The passage … [is] coarcted and made narrower then [it] wolde otherwise be.
1604. T. Wright, Passions, I. vi. 24. [In] all Passions … the heart is dilated or coarcted.
2. To confine or restrict the action of (a person); to constrain, coerce. [So in (legal) Latin = cogo.]
c. 1400. Test. Love, I. (1560), 277 b/2. Thilke persons … not coarted by paining dures openly knowledgeden.
c. 1430. Lydg., Bochas, III. i. (1554), 70 b. Sith no lawe thy person may coarte.
1540. Act 32 Hen. VIII., c. 28 § 5. Persons of full age … not unlaufully coarcted.
1610. Donne, Pseudo-Martyr, 301. He is so farre from coarcting the Popes power, that [etc.].
1646. Gaule, Cases Consc., 133. Any such Art whereby himself might be coarcted or constrained.
1819. H. Busk, Vestriad, III. 537. Coarcted by your mancipating spell.
b. Const. to or inf.
1420. [see below].
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 68/1. Saul said I am coarted therto.
c. 1640. J. Smyth, Lives Berkeleys (1883), II. 65. The said Countesse compelled and coharted them to enseale certaine Indentures.
1726. Ayliffe, Parerg., 178. If a man coarcts himself to the Extremity of an Act.
3. To confine within narrow limits; fig. to restrict.
1522. Skelton, Why not to Court, 438. That the kynges minde By hym is subverted And so streatly coarted In credensyng his tales.
1548. Udall, etc. Erasm. Par. Mark vii. 52. Coarcted within the very narrow limites of Jewry.
1628. Coke, On Litt., 22 a. Of all the estates taile most coarcted or restrained that I finde in our bookes.
4. To control, restrain, repress.
1557. Paynel, Barclay’s Jugurth, 47 b. He used meruelouse good maner in coartyng the same faultes.
b. To coart of: to restrain from.
1430. Lydg., Chron. Troy, III. xxv. For she will not be guided by no reyne To be coarted of her dewe righte.
Hence Coarcted, Coarct, (-art), ppl. a., Coarcting vbl. sb.
c. 1420. Pallad. on Husb., XII. 174. That so thai be coart to swymme in sape, Enclude hem.
14[?]. trans. T. à Kempis’ Consol., III. vi. Loue weried is not wery, and loue arted is not coarted.
1494. Fabyan, VII. 567. That no lorde … shuld … lay for his excuse any constraynt or coartynge of his prynce.
1530. Palsgr., 206/2. Coartyng, efforcement.
1631. Quarles, Div. Poems, Samson (1717), 273. Their haste could give no vent To their coarcted thoughts.
