Past tense of expel; to force someone to leave a place, especially an institution or organization, as a punishment. Can also mean to discharge or emit something forcefully.
From Latin 'expellere' meaning 'to drive out', composed of 'ex-' (out) and 'pellere' (to drive or push). The word entered English in the 14th century, maintaining its core meaning of forceful removal or ejection.
The Latin root 'pellere' (to push) appears in many English words like 'repel', 'impel', and 'compel', all describing different directions of force. It's fascinating how this ancient concept of physical pushing evolved to describe everything from school discipline to rocket propulsion!
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