Final answer:
The word 'propel' refers to the act of driving or pushing something forward, indicating purposeful motion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question appears to be based on a passage from a literary work and is asking for the definition of a word in context. The word "propel" means to drive or push something forward. The context in which it is used in the passage indicates a sense of urgency or struggle, as Mariam uses physical force to move forward by 'clawing' at obstacles. This action contrasts with other verbs like withdraw (to pull back), drag (to pull along with difficulty), and retract (to draw back in). In both excerpts provided, the characters demonstrate deliberate and purposeful actions, whether it is severing a braid with care to avoid waking someone, or reflecting on popularity and the actions of others.