refuse
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
to not give someone something that they want or need.
to withhold something from someone; often used in a ditransitive structure.
Simple“The bank refused him a loan because he had no regular income.”
In context“The authorities refused the refugees entry into the country, citing a lack of proper documentation and security concerns.”
- 02 C2 Proficiency
to 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.
Simple“The general decided to refuse his right flank to protect the troops from the approaching cavalry.”
In context“By refusing the left wing of his army, the commander successfully baited the enemy into a narrow valley where their numerical advantage was lost.”
refuse vs deny — Refuse is saying no to an offer or request; deny is saying a statement isn't true or withholding a right.
Usage refused to accept · refused to join · refused to leave
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.