refuse
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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English [edit]
Etymology 1 [edit]
Apparently from Old French refuse (French refusé), past participle of refuser (“to refuse”), as Etymology 2, below.
Pronunciation [edit]
Adjective [edit]
refuse (comparative more refuse, superlative most refuse)
Noun [edit]
refuse (uncountable)
Synonyms [edit]
- discards
- garbage (US)
- rubbish
- trash (US)
- See also Wikisaurus:trash
Translations [edit]
items or material that have been discarded
Etymology 2 [edit]
From Old French refuser, from Vulgar Latin *refusare, a blend of Classical Latin refutō and recusō.
Pronunciation [edit]
Verb [edit]
refuse (third-person singular simple present refuses, present participle refusing, simple past and past participle refused)
- (transitive) To decline (a request or demand).
- My request for a pay rise was refused.
- I refuse to listen to this nonsense any more.
- 2011 September 27, Alistair Magowan, “Bayern Munich 2 - 0 Man City”, BBC Sport:
- City were outclassed thereafter and Roberto Mancini said that substitute Carlos Tevez refused to play.
- (intransitive) To decline a request or demand, forbear; to withhold permission.
- I asked the star if I could have her autograph, but she refused.
- (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
- (obsolete, transitive) To disown.
- Shakespeare
- Refuse thy name.
- Shakespeare
Usage notes [edit]
- This is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive. See Appendix:English catenative verbs
Synonyms [edit]
- (decline): decline, reject, nill, say no to, turn down, veto, withsake
- (decline a request or demand): say no, forbear
Translations [edit]
(transitive) decline (request, demand)
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(intransitive) decline a request or demand
Noun [edit]
refuse
- (obsolete) refusal
- (Can we find and add a quotation of Fairfax to this entry?)
French [edit]
Verb [edit]
refuse
- first-person singular present indicative of refuser
- third-person singular present indicative of refuser
- first-person singular present subjunctive of refuser
- third-person singular present subjunctive of refuser
- second-person singular imperative of refuser