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.
00:10
Repellent is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
a fool or simpleton; ninny.
Also, re·pel·lant.


Origin:
1635–45; < Latin repellent- (stem of repellēns), present participle of repellere to drive back. See repel, -ent

re·pel·lent·ly, adverb
in·ter·re·pel·lent, adjective
non·re·pel·lent, adjective
self-re·pel·lent, adjective
un·re·pel·lent, adjective
un·re·pel·lent·ly, adverb

repellent, repulsive.


1. repugnant, disgusting, distasteful, loathsome.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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World English Dictionary
repellent (rɪˈpɛlənt) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
adj
1.  giving rise to disgust or aversion; distasteful or repulsive
2.  driving or forcing away or back; repelling
 
n
3.  something, esp a chemical substance, that repels: insect repellent
4.  a substance with which fabrics are treated to increase their resistance to water
 
re'pellence
 
n
 
re'pellency
 
n
 
re'pellently
 
adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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American Heritage
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.
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Example sentences
There is something so repellent-yet so compelling-about the way he spirals out of control.
The resulting two-layer raft is cohesive, buoyant and water-repellent.
Use a strong insect repellent and sleep with a mosquito net to avoid bites and
  stings.
Guests are encouraged to bring their own insect repellent and sun block, and
  must wear close-toed shoes and long pants.
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