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Definition of propelling - 2 dictionary results

pro⋅pel

[pruh-pel]
–verb (used with object), -pelled, -pel⋅ling.
1. to drive, or cause to move, forward or onward: to propel a boat by rowing.
2. to impel or urge onward: Urgent need of money propelled him to take a job.

Origin:
1400–50; late ME propellen to expel < L prōpellere to drive forward, equiv. to prō- pro- 1 + pellere to drive


1, 2. push, prod.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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pro·pel   (prə-pěl')   
tr.v.   pro·pelled, pro·pel·ling, pro·pels
To cause to move forward or onward. See Synonyms at push.

[Middle English propellen, from Latin prōpellere : prō-, forward; see pro-1 + pellere, to drive; see pel-5 in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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