propel
/prəˈpɛl
/- But he found he could propel himself forward by pushing off against the sides with his feet.
- The propeller or the jet engine of an aircraft pushes air backwards to propel the aircraft forward.
- And you'll get the added boost of an extra body propelling the boat forward.
Synonyms
- These were ordinary people who were propelled into an extraordinary situation.
- Do not let fear of error or retribution propel you into a medical appointment or a dangerous situation.
- He established himself as the champion of the working people and that helped propel him to the presidency.
Synonyms
Origin
Late Middle English (in the sense 'expel, drive out'): from Latin propellere, from pro- 'forward' + pellere 'to drive'.
appeal from Middle English:
Recorded first in legal contexts, appeal comes via Old French from Latin appellare ‘to address, accost, call upon’. Peal (Late Middle English) is a shortening of appeal, perhaps from the call to prayers of a ringing bell. The base of appeal is Latin pellere ‘to drive’, found also in compel ‘drive together’; dispel ‘drive apart’; expel ‘drive out’; impel ‘drive towards’; and impulsive; propel ‘drive forwards’; repel ‘drive back’, all Late Middle English. It is also the source of the pulse (Middle English) that you can feel on your wrist and is related to push (Middle English). The other kind of pulse, an edible seed, is a different word, which comes via Old French from Latin puls ‘porridge of meal or pulse’, related to the sources of both pollen and powder.