larvae-repelling
|lar-vee-re-pel-ling|
🇺🇸
/ˈlɑrviː rɪˈpɛlɪŋ/
🇬🇧
/ˈlɑːviː rɪˈpɛlɪŋ/
(repel)
driving away
Etymology
'larvae-repelling' is a modern English compound combining the plural noun 'larvae' (from Latin 'larva') and the present-participle form of the verb 'repel' (from Latin 'repellere').
'larva' comes from Latin 'larva' meaning 'ghost, mask' and entered English as a zoological term; 'repel' comes from Latin 'repellere' ('re-' + 'pellere' meaning 'to drive') via Old French/Middle English 'repellen', eventually becoming modern English 'repel'. The compound 'larvae-repelling' is formed in modern English by combining these elements.
Initially Latin 'repellere' meant 'to drive back'; over time the English 'repel' kept the core sense of 'keep away' or 'drive off', and 'larvae-repelling' specifically denotes preventing or driving away larvae.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
present-participle form of 'repel' used in the compound 'larvae-repelling' to indicate the action of driving larvae away.
The product label advertises a larvae-repelling formula effective for several weeks.
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Adjective 1
designed or treated to repel larvae; preventing larvae from settling, feeding, or developing.
The gardeners used a larvae-repelling spray around the beds to protect young plants.
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Last updated: 2025/10/13 00:57