repulsion
UK[rɪˈpʌlʃn]US[rɪˈpʌlʃn]
n
A feeling of strong dislike or disgust; revulsion.
n
(Physics) A force that pushes two objects apart, especially a force between two similar or identical electric charges or magnetic poles.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
puls
ion
re
back, again
puls
drive, push
ion
noun suffix
Etymology
The word "repulsion" is built on the Latin verb pellere, meaning "to drive or push." The prefix re-, meaning "back," combines with the past participle stem puls- to form the concept of "driving back." The suffix -ion then nominalizes the action. Thus, the literal meaning "the act of driving back" evolved logically into the modern abstract senses: the physical force that pushes objects apart and the intense psychological feeling that pushes someone or something away in disgust.
Analysis
Structure: re (back, again) + puls (drive, push) + ion (noun suffix)
re: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "back" or "again."
puls: Latin origin, from the root of pellere (to drive, to push), functioning as the core root.
ion: Latin/French origin, a suffix forming nouns denoting action or condition.
Examples
She felt a sudden wave of repulsion at the sight.
Magnetic repulsion keeps the two north poles from touching.
His cruelty filled her with moral repulsion.