Revolt

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -əʊlt

Origin

From French révolter, from Italian rivoltare, itself either from ri- with the verb voltare, or possibly from a Vulgar Latin *revoltāre < *revolvitāre, for *revolūtāre, frequentative of Latin revolvō ("roll back") (through its past participle revolūtus).

Full definition of revolt

Verb

1. To rebel, particularly against authority.The farmers had to revolt against the government to get what they deserved.
• ShakespeareOur discontented counties do revolt.
2. To repel greatly.Your brother revolts me!
• BurkeThis abominable medley is made rather to revolt young and ingenuous minds.
• J. MorleyTo derive delight from what inflicts pain on any sentient creature revolted his conscience and offended his reason.
3. To cause to turn back; to roll or drive back; to put to flight.
4. (intransitive) To be disgusted, shocked, or grossly offended; hence, to feel nausea; used with at.The stomach revolts at such food; his nature revolts at cruelty.
5. To turn away; to abandon or reject something; specifically, to turn away, or shrink, with abhorrence.
• MiltonStill revolt when truth would set them free.
• J. MorleyHis clear intelligence revolted from the dominant sophisms of that time.

Noun

1. an act of revolt

Related terms

• revolting