1. v.
1. tr. withhold acceptance of or consent to (refuse an offer; refuse orders).
2 tr. (often foll. by to + infin.) indicate unwillingness (I refuse to go; the car refuses to start; I refuse!).
3 tr. (often with double object) not grant (a request) made by (a person) (refused me a day off; I could not refuse them).
4 tr. (also absol.) (of a horse) be unwilling to jump (a fence etc.).
Derivatives:
refusable adj. refuser n.
Etymology: ME f. OF refuser prob. ult. f. L recusare (see RECUSANT) after refutare REFUTE 2. n. items rejected as worthless; waste.
Etymology: ME, perh. f. OF refus{eacute} past part. (as REFUSE)