Refuse | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Re-fūse', v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. REFUSED; p. pr. & vb. n. REFUSING.] [Fr. refuser, Pr., Pg., & O. Sp. refusar, N. Sp. rehusar, It. rifusare, rifiutare, corrupted partly from Lat. refutare, to drive back, to repel, refute, partly from recusare, to decline, refuse.]

Sense 1. To deny, as a request, demand, invitation, or command; to decline to do or grant.

Sense 2. To decline to accept; to reject.

The cunning workman never doth refuse The meanest tool that he may chance to use. Herbert.

To refuse any part of the line in battle, as the center or a wing, to keep that part retired while the remainder is advanced to fight.

Re-fūse′, v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. To decline to accept something offered; 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.

Rĕf'ūse, a.

adjective

a. [See infra.] Refused; rejected; hence, left as unworthy of reception; of no value; worthless.

Please to bestow on him the refuse letters. Spectator.

Rĕf'ūse, n.

noun

(Synop., § 130), n. [Fr. refus, refusal, denial, and that which is refused or denied, Pr. refut, refuti, It. rifiuto, refusal, scum, sweepings. See REFUSE, v.] That which is refused or rejected as useless; waste matter.

Synonyms—Dregs; sediment; scum; recrement; dross; trash.