revolting

Definitions

re- (back) + volt (a variant of vol 'roll, turn') = 'turning back against.' To revolt is to turn against authority. The 'disgusting' sense comes from the idea that something so offensive makes your stomach turn — it turns you away from it.

Why It Means This

Revolting straddles two meanings from the same image of 'turning.' Politically, people revolt — they turn against rulers. Physically, something revolting makes you turn away in disgust. Today the disgust sense is by far the most common in everyday English; 'a revolting smell' has nothing to do with rebellion.

Common Collocations

• 1.a revolting smell令人作呕的气味
• 2.absolutely revolting极其恶心
• 3.find something revolting觉得某事令人反感
• 4.revolting behavior令人厌恶的行为

Example Sentences

• 1.

  There was a revolting smell coming from the old refrigerator.

• 2.

  I find the way he treats his staff absolutely revolting.

• 3.

  The revolting peasants marched toward the palace.