Pro·pel v. t. [imp. & p. p. Propelled p. pr. & vb. n. Propelling.]  To drive forward; to urge or press onward by force; to move, or cause to move; as, the wind or steam propels ships; balls are propelled by gunpowder.
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  propel
       v 1: cause to move forward with force; "Steam propels this ship"
            [syn: impel]
       2: give an incentive for action; "This moved me to sacrifice my
          career" [syn: motivate, actuate, move, prompt, incite]
       [also: propelling, propelled]