Main Entry: ¹re·fuse

Pronunciation: \ri-ˈfyüz\

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

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 overintransitive verb : to withhold acceptance, compliance, or permission

synonyms see decline

— re·fus·er noun