Emily Dickinson Lexicon

RE-BEL', v.i. [L. rebello, to make war again; re and bello; W. rhyvela, to make war; rhy and bel, war.]

1. To revolt; to renounce the authority of the laws and government to which one owes allegiance. Subjects may rebel by an open renunciation of the authority of the government, without taking arms; but ordinarily, rebellion is accompanied by resistance in arms. Ye have built you an altar, that ye might rebel this day against the Lord. – Josh. xxii. Is. i.
2. To rise in violent opposition against lawful authority. How could my hand rebel against my heart? / How could your heart rebel against your reason? – Dryden.