REPELLANT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does repellant mean? 

• REPELLANT (noun)
  The noun REPELLANT has 3 senses:

1. a compound with which fabrics are treated to repel water

2. a chemical substance that repels animals

3. the power to repel

  Familiarity information: REPELLANT used as a noun is uncommon.

• REPELLANT (adjective)
  The adjective REPELLANT has 2 senses:

1. serving or tending to repel

2. highly offensive; arousing aversion or disgust

  Familiarity information: REPELLANT used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• REPELLANT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A compound with which fabrics are treated to repel water

Classified under:

Nouns denoting substances

Synonyms:

repellant; repellent

Hypernyms ("repellant" is a kind of...):

chemical compound; compound ((chemistry) a substance formed by chemical union of two or more elements or ingredients in definite proportion by weight)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A chemical substance that repels animals

Classified under:

Nouns denoting substances

Synonyms:

repellant; repellent

Hypernyms ("repellant" is a kind of...):

chemical compound; compound ((chemistry) a substance formed by chemical union of two or more elements or ingredients in definite proportion by weight)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "repellant"):

insect repellant; insect repellent; insectifuge (a chemical substance that repels insects)

Derivation:

repel (be repellent to; cause aversion in)

repellant (serving or tending to repel)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The power to repel

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

repellant; repellent

Context example:

she knew many repellents to his advances

Hypernyms ("repellant" is a kind of...):

power; powerfulness (possession of controlling influence)

• REPELLANT (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Serving or tending to repel

Synonyms:

rebarbative; repellant; repellent

Context example:

I find his obsequiousness repellent

Similar:

unpleasant (offensive or disagreeable; causing discomfort or unhappiness)

Derivation:

repel (be repellent to; cause aversion in)

repel (fill with distaste)

repellant (a chemical substance that repels animals)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Highly offensive; arousing aversion or disgust

Synonyms:

disgustful; disgusting; distasteful; foul; loathly; loathsome; repellant; repellent; repelling; revolting; skanky; wicked; yucky

Context example:

a wicked stench

Similar:

offensive (unpleasant or disgusting especially to the senses)

Derivation:

repel (be repellent to; cause aversion in)

repel (fill with distaste)

 Context examples 

An essential oil that smells like roses is taken from the leaves and used in perfume, in mosquito repellants, and in aromatherapy to treat skin problems and to reduce stress.

(Geranium, NCI Dictionary)

Anthraquinone is used in the manufacture of dyes, in the textile and pulp industries, and as a bird repellant.

(Anthraquinone, NCI Thesaurus)

Results show that graphene, a tight, honeycomb lattice of carbon, could be an alternative to chemicals now used in mosquito repellants and protective clothing.

(Graphene shield shows promise in blocking mosquito bites, National Institutes of Health)

Citronella oil is used for its aromatic properties in parfumary, cosmetics, candles and soaps, and as an insect repellant.

(Citronella Oil, NCI Thesaurus)

Red cedarwood oil is used as an insect repellant, expectorant, antiseptic, and fungicide.

(Juniperus Virginiana Oil, NCI Thesaurus)

Camphor oil has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties and is used for its aromatic properties, as an insect repellant, in embalming fluids, and in various topical skin preparations.

(Camphor Oil, NCI Thesaurus)

To prevent insect bites and their complications: • Don't bother insects • Use insect repellant • Wear protective clothing • Be careful when you eat outside because food attracts insects • If you know you have severe allergic reactions to insect bites, carry an emergency epinephrine kit

(Insect Bites and Stings, NIH)

These findings could lead to new protective methods against mosquitos, without the environmental or human health effects of other chemical-based repellants, said Heather Henry, Ph.D., a health scientist administrator with the NIEHS Superfund Research Program.

(Graphene shield shows promise in blocking mosquito bites, National Institutes of Health)