repulse Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an instance of driving away or warding off
    snub; rebuff.
  2. verb force or drive back
    repel; drive back; rebuff; fight off.
    • repel the attacker
    • fight off the onslaught
    • rebuff the attack
  3. verb be repellent to; cause aversion in
    repel.
  4. verb cause to move back by force or influence
    beat back; repel; drive; push back; force back.
    • repel the enemy
    • push back the urge to smoke
    • beat back the invaders

WordNet

Re*pulse" transitive verb
Etymology
L. repulsus, p. p. of repellere. See Repel.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Repulsed present participle & verbal noun Repulsing
Definitions
  1. To repel; to beat or drive back; as, to repulse an assault; to repulse the enemy.
    Complete to have discovered and repulsed Whatever wiles of foe or seeming friend. Milton.
  2. To repel by discourtesy, coldness, or denial; to reject; to send away; as, to repulse a suitor or a proffer.
Re*pulse" noun
Etymology
L. repulsa, fr. repellere, repulsum.
Definitions
  1. The act of repelling or driving back; also, the state of being repelled or driven back.
    By fate repelled, and with repulses tired. Denham.
    He received in the repulse of Tarquin seven hurts in the body. Shak.
  2. Figuratively: Refusal; denial; rejection; failure.

Webster 1913