I . *re·fuse
/ rɪˈfjuːz; NAmE / verb
1.
to say that you will not do sth that sb has asked you to do :
[ v ]
Go on, ask her; she can hardly refuse.
[ v to inf ]
He flatly refused to discuss the matter.
She refused to accept that there was a problem.
2.
[ vn ] to say that you do not want sth that has been offered to you
SYN turn down :
I politely refused their invitation.
The job offer was simply too good to refuse.
3.
[ vnn ] to say that you will not give sb sth that they want or need
SYN deny :
They refused him a visa.
She would never refuse her kids anything.
II . re·fuse
/ ˈrefjuːs; NAmE / noun
[ U ] waste material that has been thrown away
SYN rubbish / garbage :
domestic / household refuse
the city refuse dump
refuse collection / disposal
➡ note at rubbish
••
WORD ORIGIN
I . Middle English : from Old French refuser , probably an alteration of Latin recusare to refuse, influenced by refutare refute.
II . late Middle English : perhaps from Old French refusé refused, past participle of refuser , probably an alteration of Latin recusare to refuse, influenced by refutare refute.