refuse

One entry found for refuse.

Main Entry: ¹re·fuse
Pronunciation: ri-'fyüz
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): 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
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
synonym see DECLINE
- re·fus·er noun