repel
Meaning
To drive or force something back or away
To cause someone to feel strong dislike or disgust
Structure
Usage
The new coating is designed to repel water and dirt.
His arrogant manner tended to repel people rather than attract them.
The army managed to repel the invaders from the border.
Etymology
The word 'repel' originates from the Latin verb repellere, a compound of the prefix re- (meaning "back") and the verb pellere (meaning "to drive, strike, or push"). This literal sense of "driving back" was used in physical contexts, such as repelling an attack. Over time, the meaning broadened metaphorically to include the act of causing a strong feeling of aversion or disgust, as if one's sensibilities are being forcefully pushed away. The core logic of applying force to create distance or rejection has remained consistent from its classical origins to its modern abstract uses.
Analysis
re- is a Latin prefix meaning "back" or "again." -pel is from the Latin root pellere, meaning "to drive" or "to push."