Literary notes about Expel (AI summary)
In literature, "expel" is employed in a variety of nuanced contexts that range from the concrete to the abstract. On one hand, it describes physical or medicinal actions—authors detail how herbs or concoctions expel wind, poison, or even gravel from the body ([1], [2], [3])—and often relates to the clearing away of material obstructions. On the other hand, the term connotes a forceful removal from institutions or social settings, as when individuals are dismissed or cast out for misbehavior or political reasons ([4], [5], [6]). Additionally, "expel" serves as a metaphor for ridding oneself of internal disturbances or negative emotions, evoking the desire to drive away troubling thoughts or influences ([7], [8]).
- Bay-berries , heat, expel wind, mitigate pain; are excellent for cold infirmities of the womb, and dropsies.
— from The Complete Herbal by Nicholas Culpeper - The decoction of the leaves in white wine helps to break the stone, and expel it, and cures the jaundice.
— from The Complete Herbal by Nicholas Culpeper - Cummin seed, heat, bind, and dry, stop blood, expel wind, ease pain, help the bitings of venomous beast: outwardly applied (viz.
— from The Complete Herbal by Nicholas Culpeper - [cause to stop going to school (transitive)] dismiss, expel, kick out of school.
— from Roget's Thesaurus by Peter Mark Roget - The Arabs and the native rulers made a desperate effort to expel the Portuguese from the Indian Ocean, but their opponents were too powerful.
— from A History of the Philippines by David P. Barrows - He could expel me for "threatening behavior.
— from Little Brother by Cory Doctorow - It was impossible for me to expel the suspicions I entertained, and all night I lay awake, revolving in my mind the safest course to pursue.
— from Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup - They mutually expel each other from the consciousness.
— from The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life by Émile Durkheim
