To drive away or eliminate something undesirable such as doubts, fears, or myths. To make something disappear by proving it false or unfounded.
From Latin 'dispellere', combining 'dis-' (away) and 'pellere' (to drive or push). Entered English in the late 14th century, maintaining its core meaning of driving something away through the centuries.
This word has a wonderfully active quality - it's not passive waiting for something to fade, but actively driving it away. The Latin root 'pellere' also gives us 'propel', 'repel', and 'expel', all involving forceful movement in different directions.
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