Dictionary

repel

Etymology

From Middle English repellen, a borrowing from Old French , from Latin repellere, from re- ("back") + pellere ("to drive").

Pronunciation

Verb

repel (third-person singular simple present repels, present participle repelling, simple past and past participle repelled)

(transitive, now rare) To turn (someone) away from a privilege, right, job, etc. [from 15th c.]
- 1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, →OCLC ↗, partition II, section 3, member 7:
  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.
(transitive) To reject, put off (a request, demand etc.). [from 15th c.]
(transitive) To ward off (a malignant influence, attack etc.). [from 15th c.]
(transitive) To drive back (an assailant, advancing force etc.). [from 15th c.]
(transitive, physics) To force away by means of a repulsive force. [from 17th c.]
(transitive) To cause repulsion or dislike in; to disgust. [from 18th c.]
(transitive, sports) To save (a shot).

Conjugation

Conjugation of repel