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.
That never yet refused your hest.
Chaucer.
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.
3.
To decline to accept; to reject; to deny the request or petition of; as, to refuse a suitor.
The cunning workman never doth refuse
The meanest tool that he may chance to use.
Herbert.
4.
To disown.
[Obs.] "
Refuse thy name."
Shak.
© Webster 1913.
Re*fuse", v. i.
To deny compliance; not to comply.
Too proud to ask, too humble to refuse.
Garth.
If ye refuse . . . ye shall be devoured with the sword.
Isa. i. 20.
© Webster 1913.
Re*fuse", n.
Refusal.
[Obs.]
Fairfax.
© Webster 1913.
Ref`use [F. refus refusal, also, that which is refused. See Refuse to deny.]
That which is refused or rejected as useless; waste or worthless matter.
Syn. -- Dregs; sediment; scum; recrement; dross.
© Webster 1913.
Ref"use, a.
Refused; rejected; hence; left as unworthy of acceptance; of no value; worthless.
Everything that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.
1. Sam. xv. 9.
© Webster 1913.