from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Refuse \Re*fuse"\ (r?*f?z"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Refused}
(-f?zd"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Refusing}.] [F. refuser, either
from (assumed) LL. refusare to refuse, v. freq. of L.
refundere to pour back, give back, restore (see {Refund} to
repay), or. fr. L. recusare to decline, refuse cf. {Accuse},
{Ruse}), influenced by L. refutare to drive back, repel,
refute. Cf. {Refute}.]
1. To deny, as a request, demand, invitation, or command; to
decline to do or grant.
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That never yet refused your hest. --Chaucer.
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2. (Mil.) To throw back, or cause to keep back (as the
center, a wing, or a flank), out of the regular aligment
when troops ar? about to engage the enemy; as, to refuse
the right wing while the left wing attacks.
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3. To decline to accept; to reject; to deny the request or
petition of; as, to refuse a suitor.
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The cunning workman never doth refuse
The meanest tool that he may chance to use.
--Herbert.
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4. To disown. [Obs.] "Refuse thy name." --Shak.
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