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. “Refuse thy name.” Shak.