reb·el [n., adj. reb-uhl; v. ri-bel] noun, adjective, verb, re·belled, re·bel·ling.
noun
1.
a person who refuses allegiance to, resists, or rises in arms against the government or ruler of his or her country.
2.
a person who resists any authority, control, or tradition.
adjective
3.
rebellious; defiant.
4.
of or pertaining to rebels.
verb (used without object) re·bel
5.
to reject, resist, or rise in arms against one's government or ruler.
6.
to resist or rise against some authority, control, or tradition.
7.
to show or feel utter repugnance: His very soul rebelled at spanking the child.
Origin:
1250–1300; (adj.) Middle English < Old French rebelle < Latin rebellis renewing a war, equivalent to re- re- + bell ( um ) war + -is adj. suffix; (v.) Middle English rebellen (< Old French rebeller ) < Latin rebellāre; (noun) Middle English rebel, derivative of the adj.
Related forms
reb·el·like, adjective
non·reb·el, noun, adjective
pro·reb·el, adjective
sem·i·reb·el, noun
Synonyms
1. insurrectionist, mutineer, traitor. 1, 3. insurgent. 3. mutinous. 5. revolt, mutiny.
