Dis*pel" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dispelled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Dispelling.] [L. dispellere; dis- + pellere to push, drive. See Pulse a beating.]
To drive away by scattering, or so to cause to vanish; to clear away; to banish; to dissipate; as, to dispel a cloud, vapors, cares, doubts, illusions.
[Satan] gently raised
their fainting courage, and dispelled their fears.
Milton.
I saw myself the lambent easy light
Gild the brown horror, and dispel the night.
Dryden.
© Webster 1913.