rebel

pronunciation

How to pronounce rebel in British English: UK [ˈrebl , rɪˈbel] word uk audio image

How to pronounce rebel in American English: US [ˈrebl , rɪˈbel] word us audio image

Noun:

a person who takes part in an armed rebellion against the constituted authority (especially in the hope of improving conditions)
someone who exhibits great independence in thought and action
Verb:

take part in a rebellion; renounce a former allegiance
break with established customs
Adjective:

used by northerners of Confederate soldiers
participating in organized resistance to a constituted government

Word Origin

rebel: rebel: [13] Etymologically, a rebel is someone who, having been defeated, ‘makes war again’ against his conquerors. The word comes via Old French rebelle from Latin rebellis, an adjective formed from the prefix re- ‘again’ and bellum ‘war’ (source of English bellicose [15] and belligerent [16]). The same Latin word underlies English revel [14]; the semantic link between these two rather unlikely relatives is the noisy disturbance or uproar that goes with a rebellion, not too dissimilar to that made by a crowd of revellers.=> belligerent, revel

rebel (adj.): c. 1300, from Old French rebelle "stubborn, obstinate, rebellious" (12c.) and directly from Latin rebellis "insurgent, rebellious," from rebellare "to rebel, revolt," from re- "opposite, against," or perhaps "again" (see re-) + bellare "wage war," from bellum "war."

rebel (v.): mid-14c., from Old French rebeller (14c.), from Latin rebellare "to revolt" (see rebel (adj.)). Related: Rebelled; rebelling.

rebel (n.): "person who makes war on his country for political motives," mid-14c., from rebel (adj.). Meaning "supporter of the American cause in the War of Independence" is from 1775; sense of "supporter of the Southern cause in the American Civil War" is attested from April 15, 1861. Rebel yell in an American Civil War context attested from 1862, but the thing itself is older and was said to have been picked up by southwestern men in their periodic wars against the Indians. The Southern troops, when charging or to express their delight, always yell in a manner peculiar to themselves. The Yankee cheer is more like ours; but the Confederate officers declare that the rebel yell has a particular merit, and always produces a salutary and useful effect upon their adversaries. A corps is sometimes spoken of as a 'good yelling regiment.' [A.J.L. Fremantle, "The Battle of Gettysburg and the Campaign in Pennsylvania," in "Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine," Sept. 1863]

3. Mosque sermons in rebel areas habitually describe government forces as satanic hordes .

4. So eritrea hosts rebel movements dedicated to overthrowing neighbouring governments ?

5. He and other rebel fighters said they were forced to retreat form the strategic oil city .