dispel
English
Etymology
From Middle English dispelen, from Latin dispellere (“to disperse; to dispel”).
Pronunciation
- Rhymes: -ɛl
- IPA(key): [dɪsˈpɛɫ]
Verb
dispel (third-person singular simple present dispels, present participle dispelling, simple past and past participle dispelled)
- (transitive) To drive away or cause to vanish by scattering.
- (transitive) To remove (fears, doubts, objections etc.) by proving them unjustified.
- 1906, Stanley J[ohn] Weyman, chapter I, in Chippinge Borough, New York, N.Y.: McClure, Phillips & Co., OCLC 580270828, page 01:
- It was April 22, 1831, and a young man was walking down Whitehall in the direction of Parliament Street. […]. He halted opposite the Privy Gardens, and, with his face turned skywards, listened until the sound of the Tower guns smote again on the ear and dispelled his doubts.
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Usage notes
- Common nouns collocating with "dispel": cloud, vapors, cares, doubts, illusions, objections.
Translations
to drive away by scattering
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to remove fears etc.
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Noun
dispel (plural dispels)
- An act or instance of dispelling.
- 2008, Caitlin Kittredge, Night Life
- “My dispel didn't work,” she said finally. “He wasn't a blood witch, Sunny,” I said.
- 2008, Caitlin Kittredge, Night Life
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