Repulse

Re*pulse" (r?-p?ls"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Repulsed (-p?lst"); p. pr. & vb. n. Repulsing.] [L. repulsus, p. p. of repellere. See Repel.] 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.
Milton.

2. To repel by discourtesy, coldness, or denial; to reject; to send away; as, to repulse a suitor or a proffer.

Re*pulse", n. [L. repulsa, fr. repellere, repulsum.]

1. The act of repelling or driving back; also, the state of being repelled or driven back.

By fate repelled, and with repulses tired.
Denham.

He received in the repulse of Tarquin seven hurts in the body.
Shak.

2. Figuratively: Refusal; denial; rejection; failure.