refuse 1
— refusable , adj. — refuser , n.
/ri fyoohz"/ , v. , refused, refusing .
v.t.
1. to decline to accept (something offered): to refuse an award.
2. to decline to give; deny (a request, demand, etc.): to refuse permission.
3. to express a determination not to (do something): to refuse to discuss the question.
4. to decline to submit to.
5. (of a horse) to decline to leap over (a barrier).
6. to decline to accept (a suitor) in marriage.
7. Mil. to bend or curve back (the flank units of a military force) so that they face generally to the flank rather than the front.
8. Obs. to renounce.
v.i.
9. to decline acceptance, consent, or compliance.
[ 1300-50; ME refusen refuser, OF refusus, ptp. of refundere to pour back; see REFUND 1 ]
Syn. 1. rebuff. REFUSE, DECLINE, REJECT, SPURN all imply nonacceptance of something. To DECLINE is milder and more courteous than to REFUSE, which is direct and often emphatic in expressing determination not to accept what is offered or proposed: to refuse a bribe; to decline an invitation. To REJECT is even more positive and definite than REFUSE: to reject a suitor. To SPURN is to reject with scorn: to spurn a bribe.
Ant. 1. accept, welcome.
refuse 2
/ref"yoohs/ , n.
1. something that is discarded as worthless or useless; rubbish; trash; garbage.
adj.
2. rejected as worthless; discarded: refuse matter.
[ 1325-75; ME refus denial, rejection, deriv. of refuser to REFUSE 1 ]