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rejection

n.
US //ɹiˈdʒɛkʃən// UK //ɹɪdʒˈɛkʃən// re·jec·tion
  1. 1 refusal to accept (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the act of saying no to an idea, a request, or a person.

    the act of refusing to accept, agree to, or believe something; often used in professional or romantic contexts.

    Example

    He felt a bit sad after the rejection of his job application.

    Example

    The author faced multiple rejections from major publishing houses before finally securing a contract for her debut novel.

  2. 2 medical transplant failure (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Medicine

    when a person's body attacks a new organ after a transplant operation.

    an immune response in which a host organism's immune system attacks a foreign biological tissue, such as a transplanted organ.

    Example

    Doctors monitored the patient closely for any signs of organ rejection.

    Example

    Advances in immunosuppressant therapy have significantly reduced the risk of acute rejection following heart transplant surgery.

    Usage

    Often used with the verb 'to experience' or 'to suffer'.

    • graft failure
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  1. 3 sports block (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Sport

    in sports like basketball, the act of stopping an opponent's shot.

    the act of blocking an opponent's shot, particularly in basketball.

    Example

    The crowd cheered after the defender's spectacular rejection at the rim.

    Example

    The center's defensive dominance was defined by his ability to provide a clean rejection without committing a foul.

Origin

From French réjection or directly from Latin reiectiōnem, accusative of Latin reiectiō. Displaced native Old English āworpennes (literally “thrown-out-ness”).

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