n.
Pronunciation: ri- ' fyüz
Function: verb
Inflected Form: re · fused ; re · fus · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French refuser, from Vulgar Latin *refusare, perhaps blend of Latin refutare to refute and recusare to demur ― more at RECUSE
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 : to express oneself as unwilling to accept < refuse a gift> < refuse a promotion>
2 a : to show or express unwillingness to do or comply with < refused to answer the question> b : DENY <they were refused admittance to the game>
3 obsolete : GIVE UP , RENOUNCE <deny thy father and refuse thy name ― Shakespeare>
4 of a horse : to decline to jump or leap over
intransitive verb : to withhold acceptance, compliance, or permission
synonyms see DECLINE
– re · fus · er noun