/ rɪˈbʌf; NAmE / noun
( formal ) an unkind refusal of a friendly offer, request or suggestion
SYN rejection :
Her offer of help was met with a sharp rebuff.
► re·buff verb :
[ vn ]
They rebuffed her request for help.
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WORD ORIGIN
late 16th cent.: from obsolete French rebuffer (verb), rebuffe (noun), from Italian ri- (expressing opposition) + buffo a gust, puff, of imitative origin.