repellency
UK[rɪˈpɛlənsi]US[rɪˈpɛlənsi]
n
The ability or power to repel or drive away something, especially insects or moisture.
n
The state or quality of being repellent.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
pel
ency
re
again/back
pel
drive
ency
state/quality
Etymology
The word "repellency" is built on the Latin verb pellere, meaning "to drive or push," which itself traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root pel-, signifying "to thrust, strike, or drive." The prefix re-, meaning "back," combines with this root to form the concept of "driving back." The suffix -ency, denoting a state or quality, was added to create an abstract noun. Thus, the literal progression from "driving back" evolves into the modern abstract meaning describing the inherent quality or power of a substance to force something undesirable away.
Analysis
Structure: re (again/back) + pel (drive) + ency (state/quality)
re: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "again" or "back."
pel: Latin origin, from the root pellere, meaning "to drive, to push."
ency: Latin origin (via French -ence), a noun-forming suffix indicating a state, quality, or condition.
Examples
The repellency of this fabric coating prevents water from soaking through.
The lotion's insect repellency lasts for up to eight hours.
Scientists measured the oil repellency of the new synthetic material.