Repulse /(r?-p?ls")/

Re·pulse

Repulse

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Repulsed; p. pr. & vb. n. Repulsing

  1. To repel; to beat or drive back; as, to repulse an assault; to repulse the enemy.
    Complete to have discovered and repulsed Whatever wiles of foe or seeming friend.
  2. To repel by discourtesy, coldness, or denial; to reject; to send away; as, to repulse a suitor or a proffer.

Repulse

n.
  1. The act of repelling or driving back; also, the state of being repelled or driven back.
    By fate repelled, and with repulses tired.
    He received in the repulse of Tarquin seven hurts in the body.
  2. Figuratively: Refusal; denial; rejection; failure.