refuse

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Discarded, rejected.

2. 2

   Collectively, items or material that have been discarded

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

3. 3

   To decline (a request or demand).

   • My request for a pay rise was refused.
   • After the death of his [Verney's] first wife, he proposed to Florence Nightingale but she refused him. Later he married her sister, and for many years Claydon was Miss Nightingale's second home.
4. ›+ 6 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      To decline a request or demand, forbear

      To decline a request or demand, forbear; to withhold permission.

      • I refuse to listen to this nonsense any more.
      • I asked the star if I could have her autograph, but she refused.
      • If ye refuse […] ye shall be devoured with the sword.
   2. 5

      To withhold (something) from (someone)

      To withhold (something) from (someone); to not give it to them or to bar them from having it.

   3. 6

      To throw back, or cause to keep back (as the centre, a wing, or a flank), out of the…

      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. 7

      To disown.

      • Refuse thy name.
   5. 8

      refusal

      • This ſpoken, readie with a proud refuſe [...]
   6. 9

      To fuse again, as with, or after, heating or melting.

The neighborhood

• neighborrefusal
• neighborrefutal
• neighborrefute