refuse
v.-
1 to withhold something (v.) B2 Upper Intermediateto not give someone something that they want or need.
to withhold something from someone; often used in a ditransitive structure.
ExampleThe bank refused him a loan because he had no regular income.
ExampleThe authorities refused the refugees entry into the country, citing a lack of proper documentation and security concerns.
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2 military positioning (v.) C2 Proficiency Technical Militaryto move a part of an army back so it is not in a straight line with the rest.
to bend back or pull back a flank or wing of a military formation to prevent it from being outflanked.
ExampleThe general decided to refuse his right flank to protect the troops from the approaching cavalry.
ExampleBy refusing the left wing of his army, the commander successfully baited the enemy into a narrow valley where their numerical advantage was lost.
- withdraw
- realign
Borrowed into late Middle English from Middle French refusé, past participle of refuser (“to refuse”). Displaced native Middle English wernen (“to refuse”)
From Middle English refusen, from Old French refuser, from Vulgar Latin *refūsāre, a blend of Classical Latin refūtāre (whence also refute) and recūsāre (whence also recuse).
From re- + fuse.