Feeling intense disgust or aversion toward something. It describes a strong emotional and often physical reaction of revulsion or rejection.
From Latin 'repulsus,' past participle of 'repellere' (to drive back, repel). Originally a physical term meaning 'driven back,' it evolved to describe emotional rejection and disgust by the 16th century.
Disgust and repulsion serve as powerful psychological guardians, protecting us from potential contamination or moral violations. What's fascinating is that we can feel equally repulsed by spoiled food and by moral transgressions - the same facial expressions and body responses occur for both physical and ethical 'contamination.'
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