propel

Etymology

Historically (late Middle English) meant "expel, drive out". Borrowed from Latin propellō, from pro- (“forward”) and pellō (“I push, I move”).

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /pɹəˈpɛl/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɛl

Verb

propel (third-person singular simple present propels, present participle propelling, simple past and past participle propelled)

1. To cause to move in a certain direction.
   • 1918, Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Land That Time Forgot Chapter V

     When it had advanced from the wood, it hopped much after the fashion of a kangaroo, using its hind feet and tail to propel it, and when it stood erect, it sat upon its tail.

2. To make to arrive to a certain situation or result.
   • 2005, Plato, Sophist. Translation by Lesley Brown. 265e.

     I can discern your nature and see that even without any arguments (logoi) from me it will propel you to what you say you are drawn towards,

Anagrams

• lopper

Alternative forms

• (rare) propeller

Etymology

From English propeller.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /propɛl/, [pʰʁ̥oˈpɛlˀ]

Noun

propel c (singular definite propellen, plural indefinite propeller)

1. propeller (mechanical device used to propel)