pressgang
Coerce into service
A pressgang was a group authorized to force men into military or naval service, a practice common in Britain through the 18th century.
The term now functions mainly as a verb meaning to coerce someone into doing something against their will: They pressganged me into organizing the office party.
The spelling varies between one word and two (press gang), with the verb sometimes hyphenated (press-gang).
Forcibly conscript for seafaring
- crimpPinch into folds
- impressAffect with admiration
- roundupOrganized gathering of scattered things
- snatchRapid forceful taking
seizure · forcible · compulsion · coercion · abduction · conscription · recruitment · manpower
Seafaring crew member
- seamanOne who works ships
- marinerOne who navigates ships
- deckhandShip's manual laborer
- able-bodiedPhysically fit, healthy
man-of-war · frigate · ship · crew · captain · boatswain · midshipman · quartermaster
Strength or compulsion
- compelForce to act
- dragoonCavalryman or browbeat
- strongarmCompel by intimidation
- bullyHabitual intimidator
intimidate · coerce · browbeat · railroad · conscript · unwilling · reluctant · resistance
Of four kings' era
- NapoleonicOf the French emperor
- eighteenth-centuryRelating to the 1700s
- regencySubstitute monarch's authority
- BritishOf the United Kingdom
wartime · shortage · quota · rendezvous · exemption · protection · certificate · bounty
shanghai
Forcibly conscript for seafaring
snatch · seizure · forcible · compulsion · coercion · abduction · conscription · recruitment · manpower · quota
sailor
Seafaring crew member
able-bodied · man-of-war · frigate · ship · crew · captain · boatswain · midshipman · quartermaster · mast
force
Strength or compulsion
bully · intimidate · coerce · browbeat · railroad · conscript · unwilling · reluctant · resistance · escape
Georgian
Of four kings' era
- NapoleonicOf the French emperor
- eighteenth-centuryRelating to the 1700s
- regencySubstitute monarch's authority
British · wartime · shortage · quota · rendezvous · exemption · protection · certificate · bounty · desertion
pressgangvolunteer
Unpaid willing participant
voluntary enlistment · sign up · enlist · volunteer corps · self-select