Refuse

Pronunciation

• enPR: rÄ•'fyoÍžos, IPA: /ˈɹɛfjuːs/
• Rhymes: -uːz

Apparently from Old French refuse (French refusé), past participle of refuser ("to refuse"), as Etymology 2, below.

Full definition of refuse

Adjective

1. Discarded, rejected.

Noun

1. Collectively, items or material that have been discarded; rubbish, garbage.

Synonyms

• discards
• garbage (US)
• rubbish
• trash (US)

Pronunciation

• enPR: rÄ­fyoÍžoz', IPA: /ɹɪˈfjuːz/

From Old French refuser, from Vulgar Latin *refusare, a blend of Classical Latin refutō and recusō.

Verb

1. (transitive) To decline (a request or demand).My request for a pay rise was refused.I refuse to listen to this nonsense any more.
• Bible, Isa. i. 20If ye refuse ... ye shall be devoured with the sword.
• 2011, September 27, Alistair Magowan, Bayern Munich 2 - 0 Man City, City were outclassed thereafter and Roberto Mancini said that substitute Carlos Tevez refused to play.
2. (intransitive) To decline a request or demand, forbear; to withhold permission.I asked the star if I could have her autograph, but she refused.
3. (military) To throw back, or cause to keep back (as the centre, a wing, or a flank), out of the regular alignment when troops are about to engage the enemy.to refuse the right wing while the left wing attacks
4. (obsolete, transitive) To disown.
• ShakespeareRefuse thy name.

Usage notes

This is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive. See

Synonyms

• (decline) decline, reject, nill, say no to, turn down, veto, withsake
• (decline a request or demand) say no, forbear

Noun