Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web

repellent

 - 6 dictionary results

re⋅pel⋅lent

[ri-pel-uhnt]
–adjective
1. causing distaste or aversion; repulsive.
2. forcing or driving back.
3. serving or tending to ward off or drive away.
4. impervious or resistant to something (often used in combination): moth-repellant.
–noun
5. something that repels, as a substance that keeps away insects.
6. a medicine that serves to prevent or reduce swellings, tumors, etc.
7. any of various durable or nondurable solutions applied to a fabric, garment, surface, etc., to increase its resistance, as to water, moths, mildew, etc.
Also, re⋅pel⋅lant.


Origin:
1635–45; < L repellent- (s. of repellēns), prp. of repellere to drive back. See repel, -ent


re⋅pel⋅lent⋅ly, adverb


1. repugnant, disgusting, distasteful, loathsome.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To repellent
re·pel·lent also re·pel·lant   (rĭ-pěl'ənt)   
adj.  
    1. Serving or tending to repel.

    2. Able to repel.

  1. Inspiring aversion or distaste; repulsive. See Synonyms at hateful, offensive.

  2. Resistant or impervious to a substance. Often used in combination: a water-repellent fabric.

n.  
  1. One that repels.

    1. A substance used to repel insects.

    2. A substance or treatment for making a fabric or surface impervious or resistant to something else.

re·pel'lence, re·pel'len·cy n., re·pel'lent·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: re·pel·lent
Pronunciation: ri-'pe-l&nt
Function: noun
: a method used to avoid or discourage a hostile corporate takeover
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 1re·pel·lent
Variant: also re·pel·lant /ri-'pel-&nt/
Function: adjective
: servingor tending to drive away or ward off —often used in combination repellent spray>

Main Entry: 2repellent
Variant: also repellant
Function: noun
: something that repels; especially : a substance used toprevent insect attacks
Medical Dictionary

repellent re·pel·lent (rĭ-pěl'ənt)
adj.
Capable of driving off or repelling. n.
A substance used to drive off or keep away insects.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see repellent on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us: