refuse
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
See also refusé
Contents |
[edit] English
[edit] Etymology 1
Apparently from Old French refuse (French refusé), past participle of refuser ‘to refuse’, as Etymology 2, below.
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Adjective
refuse (comparative more refuse, superlative most refuse)
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Positive |
Comparative |
Superlative |
[edit] Noun
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Singular |
Plural |
refuse (uncountable)
[edit] Synonyms
- discards
- garbage (US)
- rubbish
- trash (US)
- See also Wikisaurus:trash
[edit] Translations
items or material that have been discarded
[edit] Etymology 2
From French refuser, from popular Latin *refusare, from the past participle of refundere ‘refund’.
[edit] Pronunciation
- enPR: rĭfyo͞oz', IPA: /ɹɪˈfjuːz/, SAMPA: /rI"fju:z/
- Audio (UK)help, file
- Audio (US)help, file
[edit] Verb
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Infinitive |
Third person singular |
Simple past |
Past participle |
Present participle |
to 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.
- (intransitive) To decline a request or demand; to withhold permission.
- I asked the star if I could have her autograph, but she refused.
[edit] Usage notes
- This is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive. See Appendix:English catenative verbs
[edit] Synonyms
[edit] Translations
(transitive) decline (request, demand)
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(intransitive) decline a request or demand
[edit] French
[edit] Verb
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 .