repel

present singular third person repels · participle present repelling · participle past repelled · past repelled · first person past singular repelled · archaic present second person singular repellest · past second person singular repelled · archaic past second person singular repelledst · present singular third person repels · archaic present singular third person repelleth · past singular third person repelled · past plural repelled · past subjunctive repelled · participle present repelling · participle past repelled

1. archaictransitiveTo turn (someone) away from a privilege, right, job, etc.First known use 15th c.

   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.

   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

2. transitiveTo reject, put off (a request, demand etc.).First known use 15th c.
3. transitiveTo ward off (a malignant influence, attack etc.).First known use 15th c.
4. transitiveTo drive back (an assailant, advancing force etc.).First known use 15th c.

   In nearby Zintan, rebels repelled an advance by Gaddafi's forces, killing eight and taking one prisoner, a local activist said.

   2011 May 19, Ian Traynor, The Guardian

5. transitivenatural sciencesTo force away by means of a repulsive force.First known use 17th c.
6. transitiveTo cause repulsion or dislike in; to disgust.First known use 18th c.

   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.

   2008 January 26, The Guardian

7. transitivehobbiesTo 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.

   2011 December 10, David Ornstein, “Arsenal 1-0 Everton”, in BBC Sport