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Repel

//ɹɪˈpɛl// verb

Definitions

Verb
  1. 1
    To turn (someone) away from a privilege, right, job, etc. archaic, transitive

    "It is some satisfaction to him that is repelled, that dignities, honours, offices, are not alwayes given by desert or worth, but for love, affinitie, friendship, affection, great mens letters, or as commonly they are bought and sold."

  2. 2
    reject outright and bluntly wordnet
  3. 3
    To reject, put off (a request, demand etc.). transitive
  4. 4
    force or drive back wordnet
  5. 5
    To ward off (a malignant influence, attack etc.). transitive
Show 7 more definitions
  1. 6
    cause to move back by force or influence wordnet
  2. 7
    To drive back (an assailant, advancing force etc.). transitive

    "In nearby Zintan, rebels repelled an advance by Gaddafi's forces, killing eight and taking one prisoner, a local activist said."

  3. 8
    be repellent to; cause aversion in wordnet
  4. 9
    To force away by means of a repulsive force. transitive
  5. 10
    fill with distaste wordnet
  6. 11
    To cause repulsion or dislike in; to disgust. transitive

    "However, while the idea of a free holiday appeals enormously, I am frankly repelled by the idea of spending a couple of weeks in your company."

  7. 12
    To save (a shot). transitive

    "Arsenal pressed forward again after half-time but other than a venomous Walcott shot that Howard repelled with a fine one-handed save, the hosts offered little cutting edge."

Etymology

From Middle English repellen, a borrowing from Old French *repeller, from Latin repellere (“to drive back”), from re- (“back”) + pellere (“to drive”). Doublet of repeal.

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