/ɹɪˈpɛl/
OriginFrom Middle English repellen, a borrowing from Old French *repeller, from Latin repellere (“to drive back”), from re- (“back”) + pellere (“to drive”). Doublet of repeal.
- archaic, transitiveTo 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 c”
- transitiveTo reject, put off (a request, demand etc.).
- transitiveTo ward off (a malignant influence, attack etc.).
- transitiveTo 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.”
- transitiveTo force away by means of a repulsive force.
- transitiveTo 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.”
- transitiveTo 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.”
Formsrepels(present, singular, third-person) · repelling(participle, present) · repelled(participle, past) · repelled(past) · repel(infinitive) · repel(first-person, present, singular) · repelled(first-person, past, singular) · repel(present, second-person, singular) · repellest(archaic, present, second-person, singular) · repelled(past, second-person, singular) · repelledst(archaic, past, second-person, singular) · repelleth(archaic, present, singular, third-person) · repelled(past, singular, third-person) · repel(plural, present) · repelled(past, plural) · repel(present, subjunctive) · repelled(past, subjunctive) · repel(imperative, present) · -(imperative, past)