repellence

Repellence is the quality or property of repelling, or the act of driving someone or something away. In general use, it denotes an aversion or resistance to approach, influence, or contact. The term is applied across disciplines to describe interactions that push objects apart or discourage engagement, thus acting as a counterforce to attraction.

In physics and chemistry, repellence describes repulsive forces between bodies or fields, such as electrostatic repulsion between like charges or magnetic repulsion between poles. It is also used to describe surfaces that resist wetting or adhesion, yielding liquid repellence or hydrophobicity. The degree of repellence can be quantified by measurements such as contact angle or force between surfaces.

In biology and pest management, repellence refers to substances or stimuli that deter organisms from approaching a target, rather than killing it. Examples include insect repellents that emit odors or tastes unpleasant to insects, and plant-derived compounds that deter herbivores. In ecology, repellence can contribute to host defense strategies against herbivory or predation.

In psychology and aesthetics, repellence describes an aversive reaction to a stimulus, producing avoidance or rejection. This perceptual repellence can influence behavior, preference, and design judgments.