propel

[pruh-pel] /prəˈpɛl/
verb (used with object), propelled, propelling.
1.
to drive, or cause to move, forward or onward:
to propel a boat by rowing.
2.
to impel or urge onward:
Urgent need of money propelled him to take a job.
Origin
1400-50; late Middle English propellen to expel < Latin prōpellere to drive forward, equivalent to prō- pro-1 + pellere to drive
Related forms
unpropelled, adjective
Synonyms
1, 2. push, prod.
Examples from the web for propel
  • New levels of philanthropic investments can propel them beyond the subsistence support that has been far too customary.
  • The saucer will hover and propel itself using electrodes that cover its surface to ionize the surrounding air into plasma.
  • Laborers pushed vertical winches to propel elevators that carried animal cages up to the arena.
  • Once ignited, combustion would propel the torpedo to its target, where it might explode.
  • Their duty is to propel as well as regulate the desired immersion.
  • But it, too, helps propel the genes of the successful into future generations.
  • Solar sails use photons from the sun to propel spacecraft at high speeds.
  • Recapture energy typically lost as heat during braking and use it to propel the vehicle.
  • It then hops to its destination by directing some of the gas to sideways-facing thrusters, to propel itself backwards or forwards.
  • These swirling vortices carry enough momentum to propel the insect at high speed.
British Dictionary definitions for propel

propel

/prəˈpɛl/
verb -pels, -pelling, -pelled
1.
(transitive) to impel, drive, or cause to move forwards
Word Origin
C15: from Latin prōpellere to drive onwards, from pro-1 + pellere to drive
Word Origin and History for propel
v.

mid-15c., "to drive away, expel," from Latin propellere "push forward, drive forward, drive forth; move, impel," from pro- "forward" (see pro-) + pellere "to push, drive" (see pulse (n.1)). Meaning "to drive onward, cause to move forward" is from 1650s. Related: Propelled; propelling.