I. rə̇ˈpēl, rēˈp-, esp before pause or consonant -ēəl transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English repelen, from Middle French repeler, rapeler, from Old French, from re- + apeler to appeal, call — more at appeal
1. : to rescind or revoke (as a sentence or law) from operation or effect : abrogate , annul
pledged that laws forbidding strikes for the duration of the rebellion would be repealed — Current Biography
2. : to give up : abandon , renounce
all past forgiveness it repealed — William Wordsworth
3.
a. obsolete : to summon to return : recall from exile
I here forget all former griefs, cancel all grudge, repeal thee home again — Shakespeare
b. obsolete : to bring back or attempt to bring back : restore or seek to restore
she repeals him for her body's lust — Shakespeare
Synonyms: see revoke
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French rapel, from Old French, from repeler, rapeler, v.
1. obsolete : recall ; especially : a summoning back from exile
rash in the repeal — Shakespeare
2. : the act or an instance of repealing : abrogation , revocation
the repeal of a law
the repeal of the 18th amendment to the United States Constitution
the repeal of a too hasty resolution