repel

verb
/ɹɪˈpɛl/

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.

  1. derived from repellere
  2. inherited from repellen

Definitions

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

    • 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. To reject, put off (a request, demand etc.).

  3. To ward off (a malignant influence, attack etc.).

  4. + 4 more definitions
    1. To drive back (an assailant, advancing force etc.).

      • In nearby Zintan, rebels repelled an advance by Gaddafi's forces, killing eight and taking one prisoner, a local activist said.
    2. To force away by means of a repulsive force.

    3. To cause repulsion or dislike in

      To cause repulsion or dislike in; to disgust.

      • 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.
    4. To save (a shot).

      • 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.

The neighborhood

Vish — recursive loop

No curated loop yet for repel. Loops are being traced one word at a time while the ingestion pipeline matures.

sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA