repelv.
/rᵻˈpɛl/, U.S. /rəˈpɛl/, /riˈpɛl/ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medical treatment > treatments removing or dispersing matter > remove or disperse [verb (transitive)] > disperse, etc., humours or morbid matter
cleansec1000
resolvea1398
slaya1400
dissolvec1400
evacuec1400
mundify?a1425
repel?a1425
attenuate1533
evacuate1533
discuss?1537
divert?1541
extenuate1541
intercide?1541
educe1574
scour1577
attray1579
clenge1582
divertise1597
derive1598
revel1598
display1607
draw1608
incide1612
correct1620
fuse1705
lavage1961
?a1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac Grande Chirurgie (N.Y. Acad. Med.) f. 23v Som bene proprely seid repercussyuez, as..sich þingez which repelleþ [?c1425 Paris dryuen aȝen; L. repellunt], i. putteþ agayne, to þe depnez or to þe grounde þe materie þat þay fynde.
?a1425 MS Hunterian 95 f. 160 (MED) Þis oynement repelliþ euerye flowynge of hote mater.
1583 P. Barrough Methode of Phisicke i. xii. 13 To the head it selfe you must first apply thinges, that doe repell and dryue back.
1657 R. Tomlinson tr. J. de Renou Physical Inst. i, in Medicinal Dispensatory sig. E3 Other [Medicaments] repell by a refrigerating quality..as water and other such repercussours.
1673 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 8 6024 The many other Uses of Vinegar, in fixing the Narcotique power of Opium.., repelling inflammations, resisting putrefaction, &c.
1727 R. Bradley Chomel's Dictionaire Oeconomique (Dublin ed.) at Tumour The other [method] is to stop and repel 'em; which is call'd Repercussion, that sends 'em back to their Source.
1753 J. Bartlet Gentleman's Farriery xli. 297 It being thought..unsafe to repel some of these discharges.
1828 London Med. & Physical Jrnl. New Ser. 4 227 Any active local treatment..can have no other effect than repelling the disease to a part where it may prove more injurious.
1890 J. L. Smith Treat. Dis. Infancy & Childhood (ed. 7) iv. 881 Cold applications or others which would repel the eruption should be avoided.
2.
a. transitive. To remove, extinguish, or quench (esp. thirst or hunger). Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > appetite > satisfying hunger or thirst > satisfy or relieve hunger or thirst [verb (transitive)]
sleckc1175
aquenchc1300
stanch1340
beetc1390
repelc1425
sufficea1450
squench1598
c1425 Bk. Found. St. Bartholomew's (1923) 41 The shynynge Queyn of heuyne..with plesaunte exhortacioun repellynge the sloweth of her seruantys.
?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1871) III. 471 (MED) Water dothe repelle [a1387 J. Trevisa tr. quencheþ; L. extinguit] oure naturalle thurste.
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 85/2 Thenne was it thyng couenable that he that shold repelle this defaulte shold be born of a vyrgyne.
c1595 Countess of Pembroke Psalme cv. 83 in Coll. Wks. (1998) II. 165 [God] their hunger to repell, Candies the grasse with sweete congealed dew.
c1600 A. Montgomerie Poems (2000) I. 38 Leid, Ane hevy mettall, cauld and deid, Repelling Love,..And quencher of desyre.
1646 T. Philipot Poems 14 As one touch from Moses did unlock The casquet of the rock, And thaw'd its liquid treasures to repell The thirst of Israel.
1730 T. Newcomb Blasphemy as Old as Creation 12 Oblig'd to vend, keen Hunger to repel, Sweet savoury Falshoods, from his studious Cell.
1795 N. W. Wraxall Hist. France III. ii. 45 Powerful as were these engines in their effect on the mind, they must still have proved unequal to repelling hunger, and retaining the populace in submission.
1857 W. Rhind Hist. Veg. Kingdom (rev. ed.) xxxiii. 316/2 By their use they are enabled to repel hunger and thirst for a long time.
2007 M. H. Kamali in V. J. Cornell Voices of Islam I. xii. 158 Seeking treatment does not negate trust in God's will..any more than does eating or drinking to repel hunger or thirst.
b. transitive. Of a person: to repress or resist (a feeling, thought, or inclination). Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > destroy [verb (transitive)] > crush, stifle, or overwhelm (feelings, etc.)
shendOE
whelvec1000
allayOE
ofdrunkenc1175
quenchc1175
quashc1275
stanchc1315
quella1325
slockena1340
drenchc1374
vanquishc1380
stuffa1387
daunt?a1400
adauntc1400
to put downa1425
overwhelmc1425
overwhelvec1450
quatc1450
slockc1485
suppressa1500
suffocate1526
quealc1530
to trample under foot1530
repress1532
quail1533
suppress1537
infringe1543
revocate1547
whelm1553
queasom1561
knetcha1564
squench1577
restinguish1579
to keep down1581
trample1583
repel1592
accable1602
crush1610
to wrestle down?1611
chokea1616
stranglea1616
stifle1621
smother1632
overpower1646
resuppress1654
strangulate1665
instranglea1670
to choke back, down, in, out1690
to nip or crush in the bud1746
spiflicate1749
squasha1777
to get under1799
burke1835
to stamp out1851
to trample down1853
quelch1864
to sit upon ——1864
squelch1864
smash1865
garrotte1878
scotch1888
douse1916
to drive under1920
stomp1936
stultify1958
1592 A. Day 2nd Pt. Eng. Secretorie sig. F4v, in Eng. Secretorie (rev. ed.) What Sonne will for any zeale or duety, once seek to repell his owne appetite?
1632 F. Quarles Divine Fancies 186 Conquer thy selfe, thy rebell thoughts repell, And chase those false affections that rebell.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost viii. 643 Perfect within, no outward aid require; And all temptation to transgress repel.
1708 tr. J. F. Ostervald Nature Uncleanness Considered ii. i. 178 The chast Man..does not pollute himself..with foolish and impure Imaginations, but rejects and repels these Thoughts.
1764 S. Johnson Medit. 22 Apr. in Prayers & Medit. (1785) 58 I resolved..to repel sinful thoughts, to study eight hours daily, and, I think, to go to church every Sunday.
1817 P. B. Shelley Laon & Cythna iv. xvii. 83 The hopes which inly dwell, Thy manners note that I did long repel.
1877 J. C. Geikie Life & Words Christ I. xxvii. 438 Evil thoughts count as acts with the Eternal, if not at once repelled.
1905 S. J. Weyman Starvecrow Farm iv. 39 She was trying to repel the thought when she fancied that she heard a sound at the door.
1991 J. Machlis Stefan in Love i. 25 After all, promises didn't have to be kept. He repelled the thought.
3. transitive. With person as object.† a. To reject or thrust away. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > causing to go away > command to go away [verb (transitive)] > send away or dismiss
congeec1330
turnc1330
putc1350
dismitc1384
refusea1387
repel?a1439
avyec1440
avoida1464
depart1484
license1484
to give (a person) his (also her, etc.) leave?a1513
demit1529
dispatcha1533
senda1533
to send a grazing1533
demise1541
dimiss1543
abandon1548
dimit1548
discharge1548
dismiss1548
to turn off1564
aband1574
quit1575
hencea1586
cashier1592
to turn away1602
disband1604
amand1611
absquatulize1829
chassé1847
to send to the pack1912
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > causing to go away > command to go away [verb (transitive)] > drive away
feezec890
adriveeOE
aflemeeOE
off-driveeOE
flemeOE
withdrivec1000
adreveOE
to drive outOE
biwevea1300
chasec1300
void13..
catcha1325
firk1340
enchasec1380
huntc1385
to catch awayc1390
forcatch1393
to put offa1398
to cast awaya1400
to put outc1400
repel?a1439
exterminate1541
chasten1548
propulse1548
keir1562
hie1563
depulse1570
band1580
bandy1591
flit1595
ferret1601
profugate1603
extermine1634
a1439 J. Lydgate Fall of Princes (Bodl. 263) viii. 1362 Of thi merci so thou me nat repell, As man most synful, I come vnto thi well..For to be wasshe of myn iniquite.
c1530 in F. J. Furnivall Polit., Relig., & Love Poems (1903) 59 Put from the a proude servaunte,..Allso repelle that seruavnte that vsith to blaundysh the.
a1554 J. Croke tr. Thirteen Psalms (1844) xliii. 36 For thou art God myne onely strength, Wherfor then doest thou me repell?
c1626 H. Bisset Rolment Courtis (1920) I. 112 Tending to incuraige..all sic as ar furnisched with meriting giftis..and contrariewyis to repell and beir a bak utheris.
b. Chiefly with from. To ban or exclude from an office, right, or privilege. Now rare.In Christian use chiefly with reference to exclusion from the Eucharist.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > prohibition > prohibit [verb (transitive)] > debar (a person)
forbarc1330
shutc1400
debarc1430
repel1480
abara1504
abridge1523
seclude?1531
bar1551
fence1589
bebar1650
limit1722
to shut out1819
stop-list1949
1480 in Acts Lords of Council Civil Causes (1839) I. 53/2 To þe witnes þt was Repellit, fife schillingis to be pait be þe said James.
c1485 ( G. Hay Bk. Law of Armys (2005) 236 Sen women be the law commoun ar repellit and by put, vs think, yat the quene may nocht be juge jn the cas.
1536–7 in R. Bolton Statutes Ireland (1621) 142 By authoritie of this Parliament unhabled and repelled from the exercising, receiving, or occupying of that office for ever.
1566 T. Stapleton Returne Vntruthes Jewelles Replie i. 1 If any coming to the communion duly and semely prepared be repelled of the priest.
1689 G. Rule Rational Def. Non-conformity iii. iv. 186 The Parochial Ministers may advertise a scandalous sinner not to come to the Lords Table till he repent and amend, and if he continue obstinate, he may repel him from the Communion.
1737 J. Wesley Jrnl. 6 July in Extract Jrnl. (1740) 43 What if I should think it the Duty of my Office, to repell one of your Family from the Holy Communion?
1766 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. II. 498 It shall be sufficient to repel the husband from his general right of administring his wife's effects.
1808 T. Le Mesurier Nature & Guilt of Schism Considered viii. 401 How..could you repel from communion those, who professing to be Christians, reject either whole books or particular passages of the sacred text?
1887 Ld. Selborne Def. Church of Eng. (new ed.) xi. 196 The Church does not repel from the rights and privileges of Church membership any persons..who honestly seek, or willingly accept them.
1909 Times 23 Nov. 3/2 The clergy were required to repel from Holy Communion all persons who to their knowledge were guilty of incest.
c. To stop, restrain, or put off from an action or way of acting.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > hindering completely or preventing > hinder completely or prevent [verb (transitive)] > from an action, purpose, etc.
warnc888
withseta1330
defendc1330
conclude1382
privea1387
retainc1415
refrain1442
prohibit1483
repel1483
stop1488
sever?1507
discourage1528
seclude?1531
prevent1533
foreclose1536
lock1560
stay1560
disallow1568
intercept1576
to put bya1586
crossa1616
stave1616
prevent1620
secure1623
stave1630
riot1777
tent1781
footer1813
to stop off1891
mozz1941
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 168/2 Many letters by whyche thou repellyd moche folke fro doyng sacrefyse to our goddes.
1610 Bible (Douay) II. 2 Macc. v. 18 This man also immediately as he came had bene scourged, and repelled verily from his boldnes.
1697 M. Tindal Ess. Concerning Power of Magistrate ii. vi. 141 Interested Persons are of no Credit, and therefore are every where repelled from giving their Testimony.
1792 P. Stockdale Let. 17 Jan. in Lett. Bp. Durham & P. Stockdale 7 We ought not..to be easily repelled from doing what we think right.
1805 Trial Samuel Chase I. 337 Several [jurors] were repelled from serving, because of the opinions which they acknowledged they had given.
1856 J. P. Humphrey in R. F. Lawrence New Hampsh. Churches 309 The young, finding none of their age in the church, were repelled from joining it.
1922 Times 24 Feb. 12/3 The organization..was pledged to the cause of Independent Conservatism, and the Coalition Liberals were repelled from taking part.
2003 Science 23 May 1246/2 The term ‘junk DNA’ for many years repelled mainstream researchers from studying noncoding DNA.
4.
a. transitive. To reject (a statement, plea, etc.); to refuse to accept or admit.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > refusal > [verb (transitive)] > reject
awarpc1000
forwerpeOE
warpc1000
nillOE
warnc1300
reprovec1350
to put abacka1382
to throw awaya1382
repugnc1384
to put awaya1387
waivec1386
forshoota1400
disavowc1400
defyc1405
disprovec1430
repelc1443
flemea1450
to put backa1500
reject?1504
refutea1513
repulse1533
refel1548
repudiate1548
disallowa1555
project?1567
expel1575
discard1578
overrule1578
forsay1579
check1601
decard1605
dismiss1608
reprobate1609
devow1610
retorta1616
disclaimc1626
noforsootha1644
respuate1657
reluctate1668
negative1778
no-ball1862
basket1867
to set one's foot down1873
not to have any (of it, that, this)1895
to put down1944
eighty-six1959
neg1987
the mind > language > statement > refusal > [verb (transitive)] > decline to receive or accept
forsakea800
refusec1400
renayc1400
repelc1443
reject1532
disavow1579
balk1587
deny1590
disaccept1647
to pass up1896
to turn down1900
c1443 R. Pecock Reule of Crysten Religioun (1927) 458 (MED) For þe greetnes of þe þing þe asking schulde not be repellid.
a1500 (a1471) G. Ashby Active Policy Prince 571 in Poems (1899) 31 (MED) By lawe euery man shold be compellede To vse the bowe and shetyng for disport, And al insolent pleies Repellede.
1561 in J. H. Burton Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1877) 1st Ser. I. 180 The said first exceptioun aucht and suld be repellit.
1573 in J. H. Burton Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1878) 1st Ser. II. 260 Quhilk allegeance being repellit be my Lord Regentis Grace and Counsall.
1603 W. Shakespeare Hamlet ii. i. 110 I did repell his letters, deny his gifts.
1672 in Rothesay Town Council Rec. (1935) I. 225 John Bannatyne protestit that the baillie was not judge competent bot the ordinarie, quhilk the judge repellit.
1788 W. Creech Acct. Trial W. Brodie & G. Smith 224 Having considered the foregoing debate, they repel the plea offered in arrest of judgment.
1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin II. xxiv. 80 She always repelled quite indignantly any suggestion that any one around her could be sick.
1884 Law Rep.: Appeal Cases 9 344 It is declared, That the second plea in law of the defenders ought to be repelled.
1923 O. S. Marden Masterful Personality xxiii. 311 People..are irresponsive, bigoted, thick-headed, mulish. They repel any suggestion; they are bound to have their own way.
1953 C. T. Davie Musical Struct. & Design v. 75 We must be very careful to repel any suggestion that there are rules governing what a composer may or may not do with his material.
1996 A. Guttmann Erotic in Sports vi. 95 Peyrony brusquely repels the captain's plea that he stay with his old comrades.
b. transitive. To disprove, confute.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > refutation, disproof > refute, disprove [verb (transitive)]
answerOE
bitavelena1225
allayc1275
confoundc1384
concludea1400
conclusea1400
forblenda1400
gainsaya1400
rejag1402
to bear downc1405
redarguea1425
repugn?a1425
reverse?c1430
improvec1443
reprovea1513
dissolve1529
revince1529
convince1530
confute1533
refel1534
refute1545
void1570
evict1583
infringe1590
reprehend1597
revert1598
evince1608
repel1613
to take off1618
unbubblea1640
invalid1643
invalidate1649
remove1652
retund1653
effronta1657
dispute1659
unreason1661
have1680
demolish1691
to blow sky-high1819
1613 W. B. tr. S. Michaelis Disc. of Spirits in Admirable Hist. Penitent Woman sig. Gg 6 And if any shall oppose against them, they shall find themselues repelled and confuted by the ponderous and waighty allegations of naturall reason.
a1634 G. Chapman Revenge for Honour in Plays (1873) III. 293 The kernel of the text enucleated I shall confute, refute, repel, refel.
1795 W. Paley View Evidences Christianity (ed. 3) II. ii. ii. 28 It is such a morality, as completely repels the supposition of its being the tradition of a barbarous age.
1851 T. W. Erle Pipe of Dutch Kanaster (1860) 143 Circumstance seemed..to repel the theory that the connection between them was one of a matrimonial nature.
1888 M. M. Bigelow Treat. on Law of Fraud I. 244 The burden of proof is upon the creditor to show facts sufficient to repel every presumption of fraud or collusion.
1920 Virginia Law Reg. 5 780 Testimony by a city clerk..being his mere opinion, is not evidence sufficient to repel the presumption of a valid marriage.
1981 J. A. Rawley Transatlantic Slave Trade (2005) xi. 229 Recent scholarship has repelled the notion that the British abolished the trade because the West Indies were in decline.
5.
a. transitive. To ward off or resist (a harmful force or influence).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > escape > escape from [verb (transitive)] > ward off harm
withhold13..
defendc1330
to bear offc1380
withstand1398
shielda1400
repela1450
to keep off1548
repulse1560
warda1586
fence1589
shelter1621
ward1759
fend-off1830
to fend back1877
a1450 (?c1421) J. Lydgate Siege Thebes (Arun.) (1911) 4033 (MED) Only of fate, which no man can repelle, þe erth opnede, and he fille to helle.
1577 H. I. tr. H. Bullinger 50 Godlie Serm. I. ii. vii. sig. Mv/2 The good magistrate is commaunded to reteine and keepe prosperitie among his people, and to repel al kinde of aduersitie.
1610 J. Guillim Display of Heraldrie vi. v. 266 A Military Habit vsed..to repell the extremity of wet, cold and heate.
1678 T. Rymer Edgar i. vii. 6 Should you be seen, nought can my fate repell.
1736 W. Warburton Alliance Church & State iii. iii Evil which proceeds not from the will is called a mischief; and may be simply repelled.
1799 W. Cowper Castaway 40 So long he, with unspent power, His destiny repelled.
1826 R. Dyer Story of Wanderer xii. 292 I felt how perfectly unequal I should be again to struggle with misfortune, how powerless to repel adversity.
1866 J. Forbes-Leslie Early Races of Scotl. II. xviii. 422 The common horse-shoe..has..the reputation of being a charm of power sufficient to..repel misfortune.
1903 C. L. Daniels & C. M. Stevans Encycl. Superstitions III. 1401/2 The wing of a bat and the heart of a lapwing repel evil spirits.
1993 BBC Wildlife June 7 (caption) The yellow-flowered St John's wort (devil's bane) was picked to repel evil spirits.
b. transitive. To ward off or resist (a weapon, blow, or injury). Also in figurative contexts.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > escape > escape from [verb (transitive)] > ward off harm > specifically a stroke or blow
biberghOE
keepc1175
repela1460
to put bya1530
ward1571
award1579
bucklera1616
guard1654
foil1841
a1460 Knyghthode & Bataile (Pembr. Cambr. 243) 2294 (MED) The multitude of shot is to repelle With sheeld.
a1530 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfeccyon (1531) iii. f. Clxxxviii The sheelde of fayth: wherby we may easely resist & repell al suche fyry dartes of temptacion.
1593 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie ii. v. 109 Neither doth Tertullian bewraie this weakenes in striking only, but also in repelling their strokes with whome he contendeth.
1649 H. Lawrence Hist. Angells 142 His Arrowes are poysoned Arrowes..but..faith as a shield shall repell them.
1697 tr. F. Burgersdijck Monitio Logica i. xx. 80 House and Clothes [agree] in End; for the End of both, is to repell the Injuries of the Heavens.
1717 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad III. xi. 304 But the broad Belt..The Point rebated, and repell'd the Wound.
c1753 W. Cowper To Miss Macartney 42 What though in scaly armour dressed, Indifference may repel The shafts of woe.
1799 M. Robinson False Friend II. xli. 207 Beneath the shield of candour the ingenuous bosom may hope to repel the arrows of detraction.
1841 A. Croke Progress Idolatry II. 193 His [sc. the boar's] sidelong tusks, with active rage employed, Repel their weapons, and their blows avoid.
1877 C. Loftus My Life I. i. 6 Enormous ships, coated with iron thick enough to repel a shot when it strikes them.
1939 Times 11 Jan. 7/7 (advt.) Health becomes more robust in every way and this increased vigour helps to repel infection.
1941 Pop. Sci. Monthly Dec. 128/2 In tests it has been found to repel bullets fired from .30 and .50 caliber machine guns at close range.
1990 N. Hill Death grows on You (1992) x. 131 The base is surrounded by high corrugated walls, wire fencing to repel lobbed bombs.
6.
a. transitive. To drive or force back (an assailant or invader, an attack, etc.) by physical force; to repulse. Also intransitive.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defence > holding out or making stand > hold [verb (transitive)] > repel
defendc1330
rebukec1380
rebut?a1425
rebatea1475
repel?a1475
repulse?a1475
rechasec1475
to set aside1522
push?1571
shoulder1581
to beat back1593
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > causing to go away > command to go away [verb (transitive)] > drive away > repel
recoil?c1225
to turn againc1330
to put awayc1350
rebukec1380
to put abacka1382
to put againa1382
again-puta1400
rebut?a1425
repeal?a1425
retroylc1425
rebatea1475
repel?a1475
repulse?a1475
to put backa1500
refel1548
revert1575
rembar1588
to beat back1593
rebeat1595
reject1603
repress1623
rambarrea1630
stave1631
refringe1692
slap-back1931
?a1475 Ludus Coventriae (1922) 99 (MED) Hese [sc. Satan's] grete males, good lord, repelle, And take man on to þi grace.
1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boece Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) 25034 The Saxonis than..Fra Albione tha schupe for to repell.
1566 Fourme Common Prayer for Countreys nowe Invaded Pref. sig. Aii The Turkes..moste fiercely assaylyng the Isle of Malta..were from thence repelled and dryuen.
1595 G. Markham Most Honorable Trag. Sir R. Grinuile F iv He repeld them whilst repell he might, Till fainting power was tane from power to fight.
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage ix. viii. 867 They..land in another place, but are repelled to their ships by the Inhabitants.
1678 N. Wanley Wonders Little World v. ii. §66. 471/2 Henry, the brother of Baldwin, repelled the Bulgarians out of Greece.
1717 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad III. xi. 680 So turn'd stern Ajax, by whole Hosts repell'd.
1795 tr. G. P. L. L. Wächter Sorcerer 63 Repel the proud galley to the reefy shore.
a1822 P. B. Shelley Charles I iii, in Posthumous Poems (1824) 248 Repelling invasion from the sacred towers.
1858 W. M. Thackeray Virginians I. vi. 49 The small body of provincial troops with which he marched to repel the Frenchmen.
1939 E. E. Smith in Thrilling Wonder Stories June 74/1 The mighty space-fleet which the nations of our enemies are maintaining to repel invasion from space.
1970 Times 9 July 5 State and city policemen, armed with pepper gas, submachine guns, rifles and shotguns, repelled the mob.
2000 N.Y. Times Mag. 8 Oct. 77/1 Police boats floated in the small lake that surrounds the Parliament building, ready to repel any attack.
b. transitive. To drive or force back (something moving or advancing), esp. by physical resistance. Also in figurative contexts.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > causing to go away > command to go away [verb (transitive)] > drive away > repel > something impinging or advancing
repercuss?a1425
repulse?a1425
reverberatec1487
rebut1490
repel?1529
rebuff1697
wash1697
?1529 T. Paynell tr. Agapetos Preceptes sig. iiiv An emperour muste kepe suche diligent watche that equite and iustice be in surete: and so strongely repelle the vehement wawes of iniquite.
1598 S. Brandon Tragicomoedi of Vertuous Octauia iii. sig. D1 Looke how some proude hard harted mighty rocke, Which makes the sea a mirrour for his face, Repell's the waters with a churlish stroake.
1605 W. Camden Remaines i. 165 A man ascending a Mountaine, but repelled with contrarie winds.
1657 J. Trapp Comm. Job xxxvi. 19 As the Rocks repel the greatest waves, so doth God his enemies.
1692 J. Ray Misc. Disc. v. 169 There is very great use of them [sc. mountains] for repelling the Vapours..and hindring their Evagations Northward.
a1718 T. Parnell Poems Several Occasions (1721) 118 Her hardy face repels the tanning wind.
1746 J. Forster Free Protestant People 13 She repels the threatening Waves, that spend their idle Rage against her immoveable Cliffs.
1791 ‘T. Newte’ Prospects & Observ. Tour 153 The waters of both [rivers]..being repelled by the bold and rocky shores of Ross-shire.
1817 P. B. Shelley Laon & Cythna vi. v. 130 I rushed among the rout to have repelled That miserable flight.
1855 R. H. Wrightson Hist. Mod. Italy iii. 44 It was impossible that a small state..should permanently repel the tide of democracy which flowed in on every side.
1911 H. O. Taylor Mediaeval Mind II. xxix. 81 The glass windows of the church..repel the wind and rain.
1976 Pop. Sci. Mar. 78/3 Exposed lengths would usually be sufficient to repel wind-whipped waves and defend Venice.
2006 R. Clark How to label Goat xvii. 227 The poor civil servants trying, Canute-like, to repel the tide of incoming regulation.
7. transitive. To drive away (a suitor or lover), esp. with harsh words or treatment; to reject (a person's advances, a suit, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > refusal > [verb (transitive)] > rebuff
rebut1488
reject1529
counterbuff1579
rebuffa1586
repel1593
slighta1616
to blow off1631
squab1812
respue1818
snout1916
stiff-arm1927
to knock back1930
to brush off1941
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > causing to go away > command to go away [verb (transitive)] > drive away > repel > with harsh words, treatment, or denial
repulse1533
repel1593
1593 W. Shakespeare Venus & Adonis sig. E Foule wordes, and frownes, must not repell a louer. View more context for this quotation
1639 W. Lower Phaenix in her Flames iii. sig.F3v He would not Be so unkinde, as to repell the suit Of a poore love-sicke Lady.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost x. 866 Soft words to his fierce passion she assay'd: But her with stern regard he thus repell'd . View more context for this quotation
1738 J. Wesley Coll. Psalms & Hymns (new ed.) ii. x Whoe'er their Advocate repel, The Anger of their Judge shall feel.
1759 J. Adams Diary in Diary & Autobiogr. (1961) 119 If I dont marry her..a story shall be spread, that she repelled me.
1785 T. Holcroft Choleric Fathers iii. 55 The wayward tongue, fond Love repelling.
1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth ii, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. III. 35 If I continued to repel his wicked suit.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xviii. 125 Like suitors that will not be repelled.
1915 F. M. Hueffer Good Soldier iv. i. 219 For that month she no longer repelled his timid advances.
1957 N. Goodhue Little Nell 5 Nell refuses to believe him and repels his advances.
2004 W. G. Doty Myth iii. 61 He [sc. Eros] shot Daphne with a lead arrow that caused the victim to repel any overtures of love.
8. Physics.
a. transitive. To drive back or away by means of a repulsive force, esp. by the action of an electric or magnetic field.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > mechanics > force > [verb (transitive)] > repel
repel1616
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > causing to go away > command to go away [verb (transitive)] > drive away > repel > by the operation of natural laws
repel1616
1616 W. Barlow Magneticall Aduertisements v. 31 These two contrary forces striue in this peece of iron, the North to repell the South, and the South the North.
1694 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 18 257 The same end held upwards becomes a South Pole, sc. attracts the North end of a Needle, and repels the South end.
1744 G. Berkeley Siris (ESTC T72826) §237 Why should the particles of common salt repel each other?
1747 B. Franklin Let. 1 Sept. in Exper. & Observ. Electr. (1751) 11 If a cork-ball..be repelled by the tube..'tis surprizing to see how suddenly it flies back.
?1790 J. Imison School of Arts (ed. 2) 48 The hairs of his head..will repel one another.
1863 E. V. Neale Analogy Thought & Nature 227 That each particle of matter..repels other particles of matter.
1882 Nature 5 Oct. 554/2 The moving electro-magnets were first attracted towards the opposing poles, and then, as they neared them, were caused to be repelled past.
1925 H. C. Booth tr. F. Auerbach Mod. Magnetics (U.K. ed.) iv. 79 A ball of bismuth is not attracted by a magnet but repelled.
1936 R. S. Glasgow Princ. Radio Engin. xiv. 415 (table) The electromagnetic system of units is derived from the definition of a unit magnetic pole as one which will repel a like pole at a distance of 1 cm. with a force of 1 dyne.
2001 K. Ives in R. Catlow & S. Greenfield Cosmic Rays 43 Because particles in water carry a small electrical charge, they mutually repel one another and so cannot be aggregated without the intervention of certain chemicals.
b. intransitive. Of electric charges, magnetic poles, etc.: to tend to move apart owing to a repulsive force between them; to undergo repulsion.
ΚΠ
1742 Philos. Trans. 1739–40 (Royal Soc.) 41 204 Electricals per se communicate their Virtue to any of the Non-electrical, when brought near to them; in which Case the Non-electricals attract and repel like the Electricals per se.
1845 Pop. Sci. May 193/2 That the grain is repelled after both it and the comb are negatively charged demonstrates that like charges repel.
1900 Science 7 Dec. 888/1 Like charges repel and unlike charges attract.
2001 Sci. Amer. Jan. 37/1 The bulk is a ubiquitous ‘dark energy’ with a strange and remarkable feature: its gravity does not attract. It repels.
9. transitive. Of a substance: to resist the absorption or passage of (moisture, oil, etc.); to resist mixing with (another substance).
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > chemistry > chemical properties > subject to action relating to chemical properties [verb (transitive)]
repel1638
wet1855
absorb1871
scavenge1955
1638 tr. F. Bacon Hist. Life & Death 198 Annoynt the Body with Oyle and thickning substances before Bathing, for..repelling the water.
1744 G. Berkeley Siris (ESTC T72826) §227 Why oil and water, mercury and iron, repel..each other.
1796 E. Darwin Zoonomia II. 685 These substances repel moisture, and are bad conductors of heat.
1822 T. Webster Imison's Elem. Sci. & Art (new ed.) I. 23 Oil and water seem to repel each other.
1885 C. G. W. Lock Workshop Receipts 4th Ser. 360/2 If the film repel the solution, just run the finger..over the repellent portion.
1947 Times Sept. 4 3/2 (advt.) Your wool overcoat keeps rain out because it is woven from material which naturally repels water.
1980 Stud. in Conservation 25 158 The thread remnants of the original necklace were treated with a solution designed to repel dirt.
2005 S. Shah Crude p. xv When fused with hydrogen, carbon repels water, which is why oil won't mix with water.
10. transitive. To cause (a person) to feel distaste or aversion. Also intransitive.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > hatred > object of detestation (person or thing) > affect with loathing or disgust [verb (transitive)]
uga1250
wlatec1400
irka1535
loathe1568
nauseate1626
stall1642
inodiate1657
stale1709
repel1748
repugn?a1760
sicken1825
the mind > emotion > hatred > dislike > disgust > be disgusted [verb (intransitive)] > disgust or be offensive
accloy1530
repel1850
1748 T. Nugent tr. J. J. Burlamaqui Princ. Nat. Law 20 We are formed in such a manner, that good of necessity allures us; whereas evil, by an opposite effect, repels us.
1781 S. Johnson Gay in Pref. Wks. Eng. Poets VIII. 28 The mind is repelled by useless and apparent falsehood.
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. xix. 197 Through this delirious scene the child, frightened and repelled by all she saw [etc.].
1850 R. W. Emerson Swedenborg in Representative Men iii. 142 Swedenborg..with all his accumulated gifts, paralyzes and repels.
1878 R. W. Dale Lect. Preaching (ed. 3) i. 7 You ought also to remember that for purposes of intellectual discipline, a study which repels you is invaluable.
1925 A. MacLeish Let. 22 Dec. (1983) 174 I get so fed up with the tricks of reproducing words on paper that the thought of trying to communicate in that way repels me.
1940 E. Muir Story & Fable iii. 135 Ugliness, disease, vice, and disfigurement had repelled me; but now..I felt no repugnance.
1984 A. N. Wilson Hilaire Belloc i. i. 20 The parochialism, the narrowness of outlook, the insular snobbery..always repelled him.
2002 Guardian 12 Nov. ii. 6/3 To be supreme in professional sport now seems to demand an obsessiveness that both fascinates and repels.
11.
a. transitive. Of a thing, situation, etc.: to act as a deterrent or barrier to the approach of (a person or animal); to cause to keep or move away.
ΚΠ
1787 tr. C.-F. Volney Trav. Syria & Egypt I. xxiii. 389 The vast deserts, where want of vegetables can attract no game, and whence want of game repels every voracious animal.
1805 J. Carr Northern Summer 6 A pair of leather sheets and a leather pillow-case..will prevent the penetration of damp, and repel vermin.
1869 Architect 30 Oct. 209/1 Peering down street after street, from the busy thoroughfare of the Strand, blank boards and inhospitable fences repel the loiterer.
1880 R. Jefferies Round about Great Estate 131 Some bushy plants of the rest-harrow, whose prickly branches repel cattle.
1965 B. E. Freeman tr. A. Vandel Biospeleol. xxv. 400 Light very frequently attracts or repels animals and these conditions are given the names of positive and of negative phototropism.
2003 Canad. Geographic Trav. & Adventure Spring–Summer 34/2 Bear bells may repel other hikers, but they do little to discourage bears.
b. transitive. spec. Of a substance, treatment, etc.: to prevent (an insect or other animal) from settling or approaching; to act as a repellent (repellent n. 3c) against. Also intransitive.
ΚΠ
1860 Amer. Agriculturist 19 354/2 Vermin—Strips of cloth or strong paper tied about the trunks of trees, and covered with tar, will repel mice and rabbits.
1920 Chicago Tribune 23 Aug. 8/4 To repel mosquitoes, use the Larry St. John Mixture. Equal parts of oil of cedar, oil of tar, oil of citronella and olive oil.
1946 P. F. Russell et al. Pract. Malariol. xxv. 518 Many chemicals have been recommended as culicifuges to be applied to the skin to repel mosquitoes from biting.
1983 New Scientist (BNC) 28 Apr. If this chemical were released into the air surrounding the leaves, it would act as a first line of defence, repelling aphids with an eye on predation.
1990 Outdoor Life Apr. 112/3 This finding helps debunk the notion that insect repellents repel because insects can't stand the smell.
2007 Sunday Age (Melbourne) (Nexis) 23 Sept. (Eco Life section) 25 Most people are familiar with the slow-burning incense coils that repel mosquitoes.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2009; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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