Main Entry: re·pel

Pronunciation: \ri-ˈpel\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): re·pelled; re·pel·ling

Etymology: Middle English repellen, from Middle French repeller, from Latin repellere, from re- + pellere to drive — more at felt

Date: 15th century

transitive verb 1 a : to drive back : repulse b : to fight against : resist
2 : turn away, reject <repelled the insinuation>
3 a : to drive away : discourage <foul words and frowns must not repel a lover — Shakespeare> b : to be incapable of adhering to, mixing with, taking up, or holding c : to force away or apart or tend to do so by mutual action at a distance
4 : to cause aversion in : disgustintransitive verb : to cause aversion

— re·pel·ler noun