repellantn.adj.
/rᵻˈpɛlənt/, /rᵻˈpɛln̩t/, U.S. /rəˈpɛlənt/, /riˈpɛlənt/ A. n.† 1. Medicine. = repercussive n. Cf. repellent n. 1. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medicines or physic > medicines for specific purpose > medicine to draw, disperse, etc., matter or humours > [noun] > medicine repelling or drawing off
repercussivea1398
repulsive?c1425
repercutive?1541
repulser1611
repeller1634
repercusser1634
repellent1661
repriment1684
repellant1689
repercutient1719
1689 J. Moyle Abstr. Sea Chyrurg. ii. xiii. 62 Use no repellants, nor anything to cool inflammation.
1714 tr. C. G. Le Clerc Compl. Surgeon (ed. 5) 222 But all Repellants [ed. 1, 1696: Repercussives; Fr. repercussifs] and Astringents must be avoided.
1772 W. Buchan Domest. Med. (ed. 2) xlviii. 665 The use of repellants, in this case, is very dangerous.
1796 B. Lara Dict. Surg. sig. L2v The appearance of a bubo, when the plague either prevails or attacks a person, is generally a happy presage, and in the management of it, repellants must not be used, but encourage suppuration.
1850 Retrospect Pract. Med. & Surg. 21 269 This disorder is to be treated..by repellants for the purpose of preventing the formation of matter.
2. † a. = repellent n. 3a. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > causing to go away > [noun] > driving away > repelling > that which > repelling force or influence
repulsory1611
repulsive1667
repellant1783
repellent1788
1783 Polite Trav. II. 138 A preservative from the colds of winter, and a repellant of the heats of summer.
1794 A. Seward Let. Sept. 20 (1811) IV. 11 May the people, amongst whom I live, be withheld by stronger repellants than their own virtue, from invading my own property.
1860 J. Young Province Reason 33 To be followed, there is reason to fear, unless some sufficient corrective and repellant be forthcoming, by not less lamentable consequences.
b. = repellent n. 3b.
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the world > matter > liquid > dryness > [noun] > quality of being water-resistant > substance
repellant1805
water-repellant1815
water-repellent1840
repellent1843
hydrofuge1886
hydrophobe1924
1805 J. Luccock Nature & Prop. Wool 94 The skilful application of tar mingled with butter, which act as repellants to the water.
1859 Friend 12 Mar. 215/1 Indian rubber, vulcanized, is not so perfect a repellant of water as before being vulcanized.
1911 M. H. Lewis Pop. Hand Bk. for Cement & Concrete Users xxx. 367 Cement grout, with or without the addition of water repellants.
1965 New Scientist 1 July 25/3 A cyclic weatherometer developed as a screening test for new types of timber preservatives and water repellants.
2002 M. J. Crosbie Home Rehab Handbk. ii. 138 Stains typically contain fungicides, water repellants, UV blockers, and other additives.
c. = repellent n. 3c.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > pest control > [noun] > devices or substances for repelling pests
repellant1819
screen1822
repellent1861
bug chaser1917
1819 Trans. Soc. Promotion of Useful Arts 4 ii. 128 It serves the..purpose..of preserving the roots from injury by insects: as lime is a repellant of these.
1884 Science 11 Apr. 455/2 Naphthaline..proved to be of little value in killing the insect, and of no value as a repellant.
1908 Jrnl. Econ. Entomol. 1 83 He had tried repellants against the cotton boll weevil, including lemon, cinnamon, tar and clove oil.
1958 Sunday Times 20 July 16/5 Simple dressings..and an insect repellant are obvious necessities.
1985 P. Auster N.Y. Trilogy (1988) i. ix. 87 The place stank of cockroach repellant and dead cigarettes.
2007 M. Zuk Riddled with Life ix. 225 When cattle were sprayed with fly repellant, they spent less time in bunches than untreated cattle.
B. adj.† 1. Medicine. = repercussive adj. 1. Cf. repellent adj. 1. Obsolete.† 4. = repellent adj. 3. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medicines or physic > medicines for specific purpose > medicine to draw, disperse, etc., matter or humours > [adjective] > repelling or drawing off
percussivea1398
repercussivea1398
repulsive?a1425
back-driving1562
repellent1575
revelling1592
depulsivec1615
repercutient1676
repellant1730
derivative1854
derivant1876
1730 T. Fuller Exanthematologia ii. 393 Saccharum Saturni is in an high degree Refrigerant and Repellant.
1785 M. Cutler in Mem. Amer. Acad. Arts & Sci. 1 455 The berries are exceedingly poisonous. Dr. Withering says, the plant is powerfully repellant.., but it must be administered with caution.
1852 Water-cure Jrnl. Aug. 35/2 But the drug-doctor, with his ‘repellant’ lotion, or ‘discutient’ ointment, or ‘detergent’ wash, smooths off the skin and pronounces the patient cured.
2.
a. Physics. = repulsive adj. 4. Cf. repellent adj. 2a.
ΚΠ
1731 J. T. Desaguliers tr. W. J. 's Gravesande Math. Elements Nat. Philos. (ed. 4) I. ii. xiii. 217 In the first Case the repellant [ed. 3, 1726: repellent] Force itself [L. vis ipsa repellens], which every Particle is endowed with, is..inversely as the Distance between the centres of the Particles.
1834 W. Prout Chem., Meteorol. & Function Digestion i. iii. 39 Each one is mutually repellant of its similar.
1881 Science 30 Apr. 201/1 His hypothesis of two atmospheres, one attractive, the other repellant, surrounding each atom, is too artificial.
1901 D. A. Murray Atoms & Energies i. 34 The only known causes to hinder the approach of two bodies at rest towards each other would be, either actual contact or some repellant energy.
2002 R. A. Pelcovits & J. Farkus Barron's How to prepare for AP Physics C Exam. xxiii. 693/1 The repellant force between the top wire and the wire carrying the current.
b. = repellent adj. 2b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > dryness > [adjective] > water-resistant
repellent1789
repellant1811
water-repellant1825
water-repellent1842
water-resistant1883
hydrophobe1915
hydrophobic1938
aquaphobic1944
1811 W. Marshall Rev. Rep. to Board Agric. from Eastern Dept. Eng. 338 The base of the land is repellant of superfluous moisture.
1897 Sears, Roebuck Catal. No. 104. 274 [Wrap] made of imported black repellant cloth.
1951 Times 20 Sept. 5/5 The new boots..are of water-repellant canvas with rubber soles.
1989 Which? Apr. 174/2 You can get colourless water-repellant liquids to weatherproof your wall for five to ten years without changing its appearance.
2007 A. Hunt Homeland Security xxii. 329 The furniture was equally practical..with dark gray cushions made of the latest stain-repellant poly fabric.
3.
a. = repellent adj. 4a.
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the mind > emotion > hatred > object of detestation (person or thing) > [adjective]
loatha700
eileOE
andsetec1000
wlatfulc1230
aloathedc1275
wlatsomea1300
unhonest13..
wlata1325
hideousc1330
abominable1340
hatefula1382
hatesomea1382
abominablec1384
odiousa1387
fulsomec1390
accursedc1400
hatousc1400
rankc1400
hateablec1425
odiblec1425
ugsomec1425
wretchedc1430
loathsomec1440
loathfula1450
noisomea1450
abhominal1477
detestable1477
loathy1481
loathing?a1513
oppugnanta1513
irksome1513
hateworthy1548
abhorful1565
ugged1570
detestine1575
ulcerous1577
opposite1578
scandalous1592
offensive1594
obscene1597
ulcered1602
dirtya1616
abhorrent1628
toady1628
envious1630
repugnant1633
nauseating1645
nauseous1646
obnoxious1646
detestful1654
reluctant1663
horrid1666
abnoxious1682
devilish1692
invidious1710
repellent1776
repellant1780
sickening1789
toadish1822
carrion1826
ugging1839
cussed1853
repugnant1879
jerky1944
vomitous1952
barfy1957
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > causing to go away > [adjective] > repelling
repulsing1490
repulsive?1574
expulsive1618
propulsive1648
repellent1654
repelling1710
repulsory1727
repellant1780
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > discourtesy > [adjective] > not affable > specifically of manners, looks, etc.
moy1487
squeamish1577
reserved1605
repellent1776
repellant1780
1780 T. Pownall Memorial to Sovereigns of Europe 109 Commerce..when actuated as it hath been, by a repellant selfish principle, hath..been..a never-ceasing source of wars.
1825 E. Bulwer-Lytton Zicci i. v His manners were chilling and repellant.
1877 E. Caird Crit. Acct. Philos. Kant Introd. vi. 117 The exclusive and repellant conception of individuality given by that philosophy.
1905 S. J. Weyman Starvecrow Farm xi. 235 His manner was as cold, as repellant, as harsh as ever.
1951 Times 16 Oct. 5/6 The Socialist conception of the all-powerful State..is odious and repellant to every friend of freedom.
2006 G. Lodge & C. Wilson Corporate Solution to Global Poverty ii. 23 Although more stringent government regulation seems rational, it is ideologically repellant to many.
b. = repellent adj. 4b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > pest control > [adjective] > that repels pests
repellant1849
1849 Weekly Wisconsin (Milwaukee) 14 Nov. 1/8 The odor, or aroma, diffused by this plant is also known to be highly repellant to many kinds of aligerous insects.
1944 Living off Land: Man. Bushcraft v. 111 Repellant cream should be smeared thoroughly on all parts of the skin which are unprotected by clothing.
1989 Bella 29 Apr. 15/2 Repellant creams are useful, and repellants also come as roll-ons and sprays.
2007 E. Adamson Shih Tzu for Dummies xiii. 185 A good bath in a botanical flea-repellant dip containing products like citrus oils can keep mild cases of fleas at bay.
ΚΠ
1845 P. J. Bailey Festus (ed. 2) 123 Keep thy spirit pure From worldly taint by the repellant strength Of virtue.
1852 N. Hawthorne Blithedale Romance vi. 102 Robust health gives us a repellant and self-defensive energy.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2009; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.adj.1689