1 VERB [usu passive] If you are repulsed by something, you think that it is horrible and disgusting and you want to avoid it. □ [be V -ed] Evil has charisma. Though people are repulsed by it, they also are drawn to its power.
2 VERB If an army or other group repulses a group of people, they drive it back using force. □ [V n] The armed forces were prepared to repulse any attacks.
re|pul|sion /r I pʌ lʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Repulsion is an extremely strong feeling of disgust. □ She gave a dramatic shudder of repulsion.
re|pul|sive /r I pʌ ls I v/ ADJ If you describe something or someone as repulsive , you mean that they are horrible and disgusting and you want to avoid them. □ …repulsive fat white slugs. ● re|pul|sive|ly ADV [ADV adj] □ …a repulsively large rat.
repu|table /re pjʊtəb ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A reputable company or person is reliable and can be trusted. □ You are well advised to buy your car through a reputable dealer.
repu|ta|tion ◆◇◇ /re pjʊte I ʃ ə n/ (reputations )
1 N‑COUNT To have a reputation for something means to be known or remembered for it. □ [+ for ] Alice Munro has a reputation for being a very depressing writer.
2 N‑COUNT Something's or someone's reputation is the opinion that people have about how good they are. If they have a good reputation, people think they are good. □ The stories ruined his reputation.
3 PHRASE If you know someone by reputation , you have never met them but you have heard of their reputation. □ She was by reputation a good organiser.
re|pute /r I pjuː t/
1 PHRASE A person or thing of repute or of high repute is respected and known to be good. [FORMAL ] □ He was a writer of repute.
2 N‑UNCOUNT A person's or organization's repute is their reputation, especially when this is good. [FORMAL ] □ Under his stewardship, the U.N.'s repute has risen immeasurably.
re|put|ed /r I pjuː t I d/ V-PASSIVE If you say that something is reputed to be true, you mean that people say it is true, but you do not know if it is definitely true. [FORMAL , VAGUENESS ] □ [be V -ed to-inf] The monster is reputed to live in the deep dark water of a Scottish loch. ● re|put|ed|ly /r I pjuː t I dli/ ADV [ADV before v] □ He reputedly earns two million pounds a year.
re|quest ◆◆◇ /r I kwe st/ (requests , requesting , requested )
1 VERB If you request something, you ask for it politely or formally. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Mr Dennis said he had requested access to a telephone. □ [V that] She had requested that the door to her room be left open.
2 VERB If you request someone to do something, you politely or formally ask them to do it. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed to-inf] Students are requested to park at the rear of the Department. [Also V with quote]
3 N‑COUNT [N that/to-inf] If you make a request , you politely or formally ask someone to do something. □ [+ for ] France had agreed to his request for political asylum.
4 N‑COUNT A request is a song or piece of music which someone has asked a performer or disc jockey to play. □ If you have any requests, I'd be happy to play them for you.
5 PHRASE If you do something at someone's request , you do it because they have asked you to. □ The girls were made wards of court at the request of a local authority.
6 PHRASE If something is given or done on request , it is given or done whenever you ask for it. □ Leaflets giving details are available on request. COLLOCATIONS request NOUN 3
noun + request : extradition, interview, transfer
adjective + request : formal, official, polite, special; repeated, written
verb + request : make, submit; deny, decline, refuse, reject; consider, grant, receive VERB 1
request + noun : access, anonymity, information, permission; hearing, meeting
request + adverb : formally, specifically; politely, respectfully SYNONYMS request VERB 1
ask for: I decided to go to the next house and ask for food.
appeal for: The United Nations has appealed for help from the international community.
demand: Mr Byers last night demanded an immediate explanation from the Education Secretary. NOUN 3
appeaclass="underline" Romania's government issued a last-minute appeal to him to call off his trip.
demand: There have been demands for services from tenants up there.
calclass="underline" There have been calls for a new kind of security arrangement.
plea: Mr Nicholas made his emotional plea for help in solving the killing.
requi|em /re kwiem/ (requiems )
1 N‑COUNT A requiem or a requiem mass is a Catholic church service in memory of someone who has recently died.
2 N‑COUNT [oft in names] A requiem is a piece of music for singers and musicians that can be performed either as part of a requiem mass or as part of a concert. □ …a performance of Verdi's Requiem.
re|quire ◆◆◇ /r I kwa I ə r / (requires , requiring , required )
1 VERB If you require something or if something is required , you need it or it is necessary. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] If you require further information, you should consult the registrar. □ [V n to-inf] This isn't the kind of crisis that requires us to drop everything else. □ [V -ed] Some of the materials required for this technique may be difficult to obtain.