I. adjective
also re·pel·lant -nt
Etymology: repellent from Latin repellent-, repellens, present participle of repellere to repel; repellant alteration (influenced by -ant, adjective suffix) of repellent
1. : serving or tending to drive away or ward off
put forth her hands with an involuntary repellent gesture — Nathaniel Hawthorne
— often used in combination
a mosquito- repellent spray
a water- repellent coat
2. : arousing aversion or disgust : repugnant
his peculiar and repellent characteristic was the fantastic manner in which he was deformed — P.I.Wellman
finds the paintings mostly meaningless and repellent — Havelock Ellis
Synonyms: see hateful
II. noun
also repellant “
( -s )
Etymology: repellent from repellent (I) ; repellant alteration (influenced by -ant, n. suffix) of repellent
: something that repels: as
a. : a substance obnoxious to insects and employed to prevent their attacks : insectifuge
b. : a solution used (as on fabrics) to resist absorption of a liquid (as water or ink)