Verb

(confut)

To show (something or someone) to be false or wrong; to disprove or refute.

* 1593 , (Henry Peacham), The Garden of Eloquence :

Procatalepsis is a forme of speech by which the Orator perceiving aforehand what might be objected against him, and hurt him, doth confute it before it be spoken .

* 1644 , (John Milton), Aeropagitica :

bad books [...] to a discreet and judicious Reader serve in many respects to discover, to confute , to forewarn, and to illustrate.

Verb

(repell)

* , II.3.7:

It is some satisfaction to him that is repelled , that dignities, honours, offices, are not alwayes given by desert or worth, but for love, affinitie, friendship, affection, great mens letters, or as commonly they are bought and sold.

To reject, put off (a request, demand etc.).

To ward off (a malignant influence, attack etc.).

To drive back (an assailant, advancing force etc.).

* 2011 , Ian Traynor, The Guardian , 19 May 2011:

In nearby Zintan, rebels repelled an advance by Gaddafi's forces, killing eight and taking one prisoner, a local activist said.

(physics) To force away by means of a repulsive force.

To cause repulsion, cause dislike.

* 2008 , The Guardian , 26 Jan 2008:

However, while the idea of a free holiday appeals enormously, I am frankly repelled by the idea of spending a couple of weeks in your company.

(sports) To save (a shot).

* {{quote-news, year=2011, date=December 10, author=David Ornstein, work=BBC Sport

, title= Arsenal 1-0 Everton , passage=Arsenal pressed forward again after half-time but other than a venomous Walcott shot that Howard repelled with a fine one-handed save, the hosts offered little cutting edge.}}