Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
verb (used with object), dis·pelled, dis·pel·ling.
- to drive off in various directions; disperse; dissipate: to dispel the dense fog.
- to cause to vanish; alleviate: to dispel her fears.
verb -pels, -pelling or -pelled
- (tr) to disperse or drive away
c.1400, dispelen, from Latin dispellere “drive apart,” from dis- “away” (see dis-) + pellere “to drive, push” (see pulse (n.1)). Since the meaning is “to drive away in different directions” it should not have as an object a single, indivisible thing (you can dispel suspicion, but not an accusation). Related: Dispelled; dispelling.