Etymology and word formation question about "Repulse" and "Repel"
Hi everyone 
I have a question about the word "repulse/repel/repulsion." I know that the wordrepulsion is composed of "re-" + "pellere" + "ivus" (from Latin). But when we drop away the "ion" part, then are we left with "repulse" or "repel"?
I'm trying to understand where the word "repel" came from. And what is the significance of "se" at the end of the word "repulse"?
I would appreciate your help greatly. Thank you so much!
Top answer
Shay Singh when we drop away the "ion" part, then are we left with "repulse" or "repel"? repulse "Repel" makes "repelling". Shay Singh I'm trying to understand where the word "repel" came from Straight from Latin, repellere .
- Shay Singh when we drop away the "ion" part, then are we left with "repulse" or "repel"?
- repulse "Repel" makes "repelling".
- Shay Singh I'm trying to understand where the word "repel" came from Straight from Latin, repellere .
- Shay Singh And what is the significance of "se" at the end of the word "repulse"?
- None.
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Shay Singhwhen we drop away the "ion" part, then are we left with "repulse" or "repel"?
repulse
"Repel" makes "repelling".
Shay SinghI'm trying to understand where the word "repel" came from
Straight from Latin, repellere.
Shay SinghAnd what is the significance of "se" at th
0Shay SinghI'm trying to understand where the word "repel" came from.
Old French.
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/repel
The aristocracy in England spoke (Old) French for hundreds of years after the Norman conquest in 1066. A lot of
0Shay Singh"pellere"
significance of "se" at the end of the word "repulse"
Latin. push, drive, strike (infinitive: pellere; past participle: pulsus)
The infinitive gives us repel, compel, dispel, impel, etc.
The past participle gives us repulsive, compulsory, impulse, etc.
Ultimately, they all co
0
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