transitive. Chiefly Medicine = repel, v. 1. Also: to drive back (air, dust, etc.). Also intransitive and figurative. Obsolete.

transitive. Chiefly Science. To drive back or away, esp. (in later use) by the action of an electric or magnetic field (= repel, v. 8a).

transitive. To beat, drive, or force back; to repel, repulse. Obsolete.

transitive. To push or turn back (a thing, now usually something abstract); to reject, repel; to give a check to.

transitive. To drive or force back (something moving or advancing), esp. by physical resistance. Also in figurative contexts.

transitive. To blow or drive back (a person or thing).

Of a hard surface: To beat off waves and flotsam as they are borne against it.