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refusen.1adj. Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymons: French refus, refuse. Etymology: < Middle French, French refus (noun) waste, dross, rubbish (1266 in Old French; compare Old French, Middle French de refus worthless (c1210 of a person, 1260 of a thing)), also Anglo-Norman refuse (1390 in refuse de leynes scrap wool) < refuser refuse v.1 Compare Middle French refusé (noun) person who is rejected, outcast, spurned lover (13th cent. in Old French; late 12th cent. as renfusé ), (adjective) (of merchandise) rejected, waste (1413). Compare post-classical Latin lana refuse (1425 in a British source), lana de refuso (1314, 1377 in British sources) scrap wool. Compare also refuse n.2, an apparently independent borrowing of the same French noun in a different sense.It is unclear whether the following should be taken as showing the English or the Anglo-Norman word:1388–9 in J. T. Fowler Extracts Acct. Rolls Abbey of Durham (1901) III. 595 44 petr. de reffuys vendit. diversis hominibus, petr. 16 d.1420–1 in N. S. B. Gras Early Eng. Customs Syst. (1918) 495 Pro xiiii barellis sulfuris refus et debilis. A. n.1 1. the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > refuse or rubbish > [noun] c1390 in C. Horstmann (1892) i. 59 (MED) Mak us redi to vr vs Þe olde sacke verreyly Þat for ur woundes as refus Was wounded wilfully. (Harl. 221) 375 Owte caste, or refuse, or coralyce of corne, cribalum. 1443–5 in H. Hall (1930) II. 157 (MED) Wolle vocata reffuse. 1455–6 (Electronic ed.) Parl. July 1455 §55. m. 2 No silke..but of þe wurst refuse that they mowe have. a1500 tr. (Rawl.) (1977) 6 (MED) If þu absteine þe long fro þi mete..þi stomake..drawith to him of þe refuce and superfluite of þe mete bifore digestid. 1547 c. 3. §2 Giving the same slaue..such reffuse of meate as he shall thinke meete. 1579 E. Hake vi. sig. F2 Was euer seene..such monstrous kinde of men, Such vomite, reffize, Dunghill drosse? a1626 L. Andrewes (1629) xxxvi. 471 In the refuse of the spoiles little worth. 1638 J. Penkethman sig. Dviij Pitch, tarre, hempe..allome, wooll, silke and all other things that beare the name of Garbell and doe yeeld a refuse or waste. 1662 J. Davies tr. A. Olearius 223 The best Wollen Tapistry in the whole Countrey, whereof there is brought into Europe but the refuse. 1698 H. Killigrew 57 The Crowns of Kings are Refuse in her Eyes. 1709 G. Stanhope IV. 513 In themselves they are no better than Chaff and Refuse. 1749 T. Smollett tr. A. R. Le Sage III. vii. xiii. 83 Miserable authors, whose works are the refuse of libraries and players. 1790 T. Maurice 49 The ferocious Abdollah..led back his insatiable Afghans to Delhi to divide the remaining spoil, and riot on the refuse of the feast. 1832 C. Babbage xxxii. 319 Light almost solar has been extracted from the refuse of fish. 1864 C. Dickens (1865) I. i. iii. 15 Slipping over the stones and refuse on the shore. 1902 B. T. Washington i. 11 That part of the flax from which our clothing was made was largely the refuse, which of course was the cheapest and roughest part. 1953 N. Tinbergen iv. 28 They devour refuse, often of the most appalling kind. 2007 (Nexis) 25 May 1 A number of local authorities have installed cameras to monitor tips. These can..show what kind of refuse householders are leaving. society > society and the community > social class > the common people > low rank or condition > the lowest class > [noun] > persons of the lowest class (collectively) society > society and the community > social relations > lack of social communication or relations > exclusion from society > [noun] > rendering outcast > outcast > collectively ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng (Petyt) ii. 115 Ȝour ancestres conquered all France..& now er þise bot mansbond, rascaile of refous. a1439 J. Lydgate (Bodl. 263) iii. 264 (MED) Glad Pouert gan pleynli vndirstonde These rebukes rehersed off Fortune..As Pouert were a refus in comune. c1475 (Trin. Cambr.) (1927) 441 (MED) Farewell Mercy..Man was thy lord; now man ys thy refuse. 1548–9 in J. Robertson (1847) IV. 112 The number of them [sc. horsemen] be of the refuse of men. 1578 W. Harrison (1908) IV. 338 Oure Churches are full of Jeroboams Priests, I meane the very refuse of the people. 1603 R. Knolles 145 But the greater part void of judgement, and the refuce of the people in simple attire, ran roguing abroad. 1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot i. 23 These..are the refuse of the tribute Children. 1711 J. Addison No. 99. ¶8 [This] has given Occasion to the very Refuse of Mankind..to set up for Men of Honour. 1798 M. Wollstonecraft v. 96 He sent the boy to me with half-a-guinea, desiring him to conduct me to a house, where beggars, and other wretches, the refuse of society, nightly lodged. 1813 P. B. Shelley iv. 54 The refuse of society, the dregs Of all that is most vile. 1858 J. B. Norton 118 Jones, Brown, and Robinson, the ‘refuse’, remain with the regiment to be slaughtered by their sepoys. 1901 R. Kipling iv. 105 It is a shame and a scandal that a poor woman may not go to make prayer to her gods except she be jostled and insulted by all the refuse of Hindustan. 1962 C. M. H. Clark iv. i. 274 A few were attacking New South Wales as the most unpromising project possible for establishing a new colony, consisting as it did of the outcasts of society and the refuse of mankind. 1997 29 Sept. 10/2 His assertion that all beggars are ‘vagabonds’ and ‘human refuse’. the world > relative properties > wholeness > incompleteness > part of whole > that which is left or remainder > [noun] > leavings after main part exhausted 1665 T. Manley tr. H. Grotius 101 He had with him, something more than Eight Hundred Horse, and Six Thousand Foot, the Refuse and Remains of the French Troubles and Tumults. 1704 J. Swift Full Acct. Battel between Bks. in 271 Some Carcass half devoured, the Refuse of gorg'd Wolves, or ominous Ravens. 1820 W. Scott II. vi. 76 Beg not here—were it but for the rinds of cheese, the refuse of the rats, or a morsel that my dogs would turn from. B. adj.the mind > language > statement > refusal > [adjective] > rejecting > rejected society > society and the community > social relations > lack of social communication or relations > exclusion from society > [adjective] > outcast a1413 (c1385) G. Chaucer (Pierpont Morgan) (1881) i. l. 570 What cas..Hath gided þe to sen me langwysshynge, That am refus of euery creature. c1425 J. Lydgate (Augustus A.iv) v. 1334 (MED) Of hym silf ashamed & confus, As man forsake, abiect, and refus, Riȝt so ferde he. c1425 J. Lydgate (Augustus A.iv) v. 3248 (MED) Cursid is my woful destine..And I refus of euery creature. a1439 J. Lydgate (Bodl. 263) vii. 1565 (MED) The cite..whilom was of this world cheef toun..Now it is abiect and refus of al othir. a1513 W. Dunbar Flyting in (1998) I. 203 Forworthin fule, of all the warld reffuse. 2. the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > refuse or rubbish > [adjective] 1463–5 (Electronic ed.) Parl. Apr. 1463 §56. m. 43 After men..have taken oute..such..hornes as longe to their craft..than it shall be leefull..all the refuse hornes..to sell. 1478 in H. E. Malden (1900) 32 j sarplere and a poke of refvse woll Cottyswolde. 1503–4 in E. Hobhouse (1890) 26 More over in the box of refows money resteth..xis. iiijd. 1530 J. Palsgrave 261/2 Refuse woll, layne refusee. 1598 Bp. J. Hall iv. v. 42 Vnlesse some base hedge-creeping Collybist, Scatters his refuse scraps on whom he list. 1611 1 Sam. xv. 9 Euery thing that was vile, and refuse, that they destroyed vtterly. View more context for this quotation 1638 R. Boyle Diary in (1886) 1st Ser. V. 52 I sould 7 tonnes of refuge steele. 1659 H. Hammond (xxxi. 12 Paraphr.) 167 As that refuse potsheard, cast out as good for nothing. 1706 (new ed.) A kind of refuse Wooll, so clung, or clotted together, that it cannot be pull'd asunder. 1754 ‘G. Smith’ 19 Seizing on a Heap of Refuse Cards that lay by him, began playing them away. 1770 J. Langhorne & W. Langhorne tr. Plutarch I. 212 He ordered the Milesians to bury him in a certain refuse and neglected place. 1827–35 N. P. Willis 6 A dog Crunching beneath the stall a refuse bone. 1869 E. A. Parkes (ed. 3) 25 Certain trades pour their refuse water into rivers. 1879 C. Rossetti 59 A refuse burial in heat and frost and without lamentation. 1912 A. E. Tanner 107 This refuse tobacco consists of the midribs of the leaves, called ‘stalks’, broken pieces, dust, cigarette waste or ‘smalls’, and damaged tobacco. 1995 99 390/1 Two of the other tumuli..Calvert confidently dismissed as being heaps of refuse stone thrown out during quarrying. 1579 T. North tr. Plutarch 266 The refuse and scattered People of the overthrowen Armie his Father had lost before. 1595 T. Lodge sig. I2 The refuse race, of labour-tyred men. 1600 J. Pory tr. J. Leo Africanus iii. 156 Another kinde of reffuse people of one family and disposition with the former. 1657 F. Roberts iv. vi. 1665 The woman of Samaria, and other Samaritans, reputed as a refuse people. 1744 in Contents p.cxxiii That the former are a select, the latter a refuse people. 1820 C. Lamb in Dec. 625/1 As distasteful as Priam's refuse sons. 1866 B. C. T. Pim 19 There is something grand..in thus converting the most barbarous and useless population on the earth's surface into active agents for good; the refuse people of the old world aiding in the subjugation of the new. a1926 L. C. A. Knowles in L. C. A. Knowles & C. M. Knowles (1930) II. ii. i. 121 The inhabitants of the bountiful wilderness are as depraved in their morals, and as degraded in their ideas, as the refuse population of a large city. Compounds C1. 1858 12 June 5/2 Gully-holes were opened, and refuse bins were uncovered, and their contents were being carted away when the Sanitary Commission made their appearance. 1959 J. Kirkup tr. S. de Beauvoir iii. 212 In the evenings, there would be the refuse bin to empty. 2000 J. Helleiner v. 145 Those that I knew during fieldwork were more likely to scavenge from industrial and commercial refuse bins and from the city dump. 1889 18 Jan. 3/2 The company has its carts, which make rounds regularly, and householders..have their refuse cans as regularly in waiting. 1928 D. H. Lawrence iii. 21 He was cut dead, and his corpse thrown into the refuse-can. 2000 B. Litz II. 191 Currently, all huts are supplied with two metal refuse cans—one for trash and one for food scraps. the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > clearing of refuse matter > refuse disposal > [noun] > refuse truck or cart 1845 Feb. 184 The great hotels are daily emptied by the refuse carts of provisions that cannot be consumed. 1974 J. Wainwright 33 Along the street, the refuse cart is collecting the empties. 2002 C. Merchant vi. 110 Blacks and immigrants were employed to push refuse carts on wheels and clean up streets. the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > clearing of refuse matter > refuse disposal > [noun] 1870 7 July A railroad for hand cars extends through the Works to the water front, serving the double purpose of conveying market lead to the vessels at the wharf and for dumping the refuse collections at the bulkhead. 1945 12 July 35/1 For three months now there has been no refuse collection of any kind [in Berlin]. 2006 3 July 6/3 The..trash exchange allows residents to take charge of refuse collection and in return the government pays them with food. the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > clearing of refuse matter > refuse disposal > [noun] > one who 1876 14 Jan. 5/2 So many fragments are pitched on one side and carted off by the refuse collectors. 1976 N. Botham & P. Donnelly iii. 24 A string of unskilled jobs. Messenger, refuse collector, dishwasher and laundry assistant. 2004 77 197 On a weekly basis they even wheel my big green bin on to the road for me, in time for the refuse collectors. the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > clearing of refuse matter > refuse disposal > [noun] 1871 8 Sept. 6/3 The adoption of a proper system of excrement and refuse disposal. 1906 10 Jan. 2/3 Owing to the narrow limits of Manhattan Island the problem of refuse-disposal is far more difficult in New York than in any other great city in the world. 2005 C. J. Barrow v. 110 In some cases abandoned open-cast mines and quarry excavations can be used for refuse disposal. 1889 J. Jacobs I. 66 The refuse-eater and the offal-eater Belauding each other. 1926 14 267 The carnivores in any one size-group will eat all the carnivores smaller than themselves, and any refuse-eater up to their own size. 1999 J. H. Gaines ii. 88 They were the scroungers and refuse eaters of Israelite society. the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > refuse or rubbish > [noun] > heap or accumulation of 1816 W. Phillips in 3 112 In 1805, I noticed some crystals of the oxyd of uranium on the refuse heaps of Tin Croft mine. 1921 R. A. S. Macalister I. x. 556 Most Danish archaeologists..call these remains affaldsdynger (refuse-heaps) or skaldynger (shell-heaps). 1997 T. Petsinis (1998) ix. 73 A rag-picker in an army greatcoat pushed a wheelbarrow piled with whatever he had managed to scavenge from the town's refuse heaps. 1701 E. Godwin i. 35 Thy Tresure is but Trash, vile refuse matter. 1847 C. Dickens (1848) xv. 154 The miserable waste ground, where the refuse-matter had been heaped of yore. 1996 J. F. Cooney et al. 5/2 Congress first made environmental pollution a federal crime in the Refuse Act of 1899, which made it a misdemeanor to ‘throw, discharge, or deposit’ any refuse matter into navigable waters without a permit. 1871 16 Aug. 3/2 The responsibility for local defences against cholera, both as regards water supply and as regards local cleanliness and refuse removal, is vested in the local authorities. 1937 20 Sept. 16/7 (heading) Truck will replace horses which used to haul carts for refuse removal. 2003 R. Carlson 192 Get these boxes out of your house and either into the garage or by the curb for refuse removal. 1891 25 Oct. 4/4 It is a shame that these people [sc. rag-pickers] should go about the streets rubbing their dirty refuse sacks against people. 1961 12 Jan. 8/1 (advt.) Medway have the know-how to make refuse sacks expressly for the job..specially treated to withstand the ravages or wet and dry refuse on the inside and the extremes of British weather on the outside. 2008 (Nexis) 19 July 26 The practice of penalising householders for putting out their refuse sacks too early is a nice little earner for the council. 1884 23 July 2/10 If the refuse tips on the Penarth-road are a source of danger to the public health..they should be removed at any cost. 1969 M. Pugh xviii. 132 We reached a quarry where we buried Nell's craft lightly in the refuse tip. 1994 2 Oct. 8/7 People who pillage rubbish skips and refuse tips for mendables..and recycle toilet-roll cores into cheap and cheerful Christmas decorations. 1880 30 Oct. It was decided to take immediate steps with the view of stopping the highly offensive and unquestionably dangerous nuisance occasioned..by refuse-tipping. 1901 7 Sept. 7/4 Refuse tipping, or dumping, as we term it, is strongly condemned. 2005 S. Barles in D. Schott et al. ii. 38 After public and urban refuse tipping was prohibited in 1831, sludge was transported directly to its users. 1903 21 Oct. 3/2 The saving effected in the borough of Westminster by motor-propelled water vans and refuse trucks is..well known. 1998 Feb. 22/4 Wastemaster tyres are being used on municipal vehicles including refuse trucks and sweepers. C2. the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > clearing of refuse matter > refuse disposal > [noun] > apparatus for refuse disposal 1885 18 June 3/6 The large structure across the river, which was put in operation recently, is what is termed a refuse consumer. 1909 2 Feb. 16/3 There will be brought together in the Corn Exchange all the latest improvements in smokeless fuels, cooking and heating appliances, destructors and refuse consumers. 2002 L. Katzinger iii. 40 (caption) Saw mill with refuse consumer. the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > clearing of refuse matter > refuse disposal > [noun] > apparatus for refuse disposal 1880 3 Jan. 3/6 Samuel Hanson, on account for excavating for refuse destructor, £60. 1939 W. A. Robson xi. 265 The purchase of land, street lighting, housing, local highway improvements..refuse destructors, town halls, municipal offices and similar activities. 2000 B. Harding 53 They debated the purchase of a new fire-engine, two new dustcarts, a replacement for the city's refuse destructor..and more telephone boxes. the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > clearing of refuse matter > refuse disposal > [noun] > one who > one who sifts refuse 1884 J. Sharman i. 1 The bone-sellers and refuse-sifters of..Clare Market. 1982 17 Sept. 11/6 Why should my proceeds go towards paying these refuse sifters? This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2009; most recently modified version published online March 2022). refusen.2 Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymon: French refus. Etymology: < Middle French refus action of disagreeing with a demand, refusal (1226 in Old French), action of rejecting that which is offered (c1352) < refuser refuse v.1 Compare Old Occitan refus refusal (1521). Compare refuse n.1, an apparently independent borrowing of the same French word in a different sense. 1. the mind > language > statement > refusal > [noun] a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) viii. 686 Thei made hem naked..As it was tho custume..Amonges hem was no refus. c1430 Compleynt in J. Schick (1891) App. 63 To telle hire port & hire manere: Large in refus & dangerous to take. c1475 (c1445) R. Pecock (1921) 51 Sum man vsiþ þe bifore rekened kyndis of worldly godis into his propre lordschip withoute eny refuse of her multitude or quantite. c1500 (?a1475) (1896) 848 (MED) Many pety capteyns aftyr these went, As Trew Feythe..Refuse of Rychesse & Worldly Veynglory, [etc.]. 1569 R. Grafton II. 514 As of the refuse made vnto my Lorde of Gloucester, of openyng the tower to him,..he aunswereth [etc.]. 1600 E. Fairfax tr. T. Tasso xii. xiii. 215 Readie with a proud refuse Argantes was his proffred aid to scorne. a1639 J. Spottiswood (1677) v. 280 His refuse would have made a great Commotion. 1654 W. Lower tr. R. de Cerisiers 54 The false old Witch, who would encrease his desire by her refuse. 1761 P. Doyle tr. T. Tasso II. xii. 35 Ready was Argantes fierce, With proud refuse his proffer'd aid to scorn. 1914 G. Fitzmaurice Country Dressmaker in 18 I won't give you the refuse then, Edmund Normyle. the world > food and drink > hunting > thing hunted or game > [adverb] > worth or not worth hunting c1425 Edward, Duke of York (Vesp. B.xii) (1904) 80 (MED) If a man see a wilde boor þe whiche semeþ hym grete inow..he shall saie a wilde boor of þe iii yere þat is withowte refuse [Fr. n'a point de refus]. 1575 G. Gascoigne li. 153 You maye likewise say a Bore of foure yeares old without refuse. the mind > language > statement > refusal > [noun] > the chance of refusing 1753 T. Smollett I. xxxii. 240 A certain lady of quality bespoke the refuse of the jewel. 1840 C. Beavan I. 601 It was his will and mind that his son John should take the first refuse of his leasehold at Bowden. 1888 F. T. Elworthy (at cited word) Arter you'd a gid me the refuse o' un, I did'n think you'd part way un, 'thout lattin me know'd it. 1974 W. Leeds 87 Give us the first refuse of it. 1996 C. I. Macafee Refuse, the refusal (the chance of refusing something before it is offered to others). This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2009; most recently modified version published online March 2022). refusev.1Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymon: French refuser. Etymology: < Anglo-Norman and Old French, Middle French, French refuser to decline (to do something) (early 12th cent.), not to accept (a person making an offer) (1130–40), not to accept (an offering), not to recognize (as having a certain attribute) (both c1150), not to admit, not to recognize, renounce (a lord) (1155), to decline (a request) (1160–74), to reject (love, a piece of advice, etc.) (c1160), to decline (marriage) (c1170), to avoid, flee (a dangerous situation), to evade (an enemy) (1176), to be unwilling to give (thanks, mercy, etc.) (1176–81), not to recognize, refuse to accept (as a witness, etc.) (c1220), to retreat, evade combat (1229), to refuse to allow to enter (c1260), to refuse to engage with (something one condemns), to eliminate for not having the required qualities (both c1265), not to hunt (an animal considered too young, too dangerous, etc.) (late 13th cent.), (of a horse) to stop short at an obstacle (late 14th cent.) < an unattested post-classical Latin form *refusare < classical Latin refūsus , past participle of refundere refund v.1 Compare Old Occitan refusar (c1300), refuzar (14th cent.), Catalan refusar (14th cent.), Spanish rehusar (1236–46), Portuguese refusar (14th cent.), Italian †rifusare (early 14th cent.). Compare refuse n.1, refuse adj., and also refuse n.2 I. To decline to do something. 1. To decline to do something; to express or show determination not to do something. Also in extended use. the mind > language > statement > refusal > [verb (transitive)] > refuse to do something a1325 (2011) v. 9 Þat hoe ben idon to stronge prisone ant te harde, ase for þulke þat refusez to ben ate commune lawe. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) iv. 1238 (MED) If thou refuse To love, thou miht..Ben ydel. a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich lii. 791 (MED) Thanne myhte he Refusen..with ȝow to fyhten. 1478 (Electronic ed.) Parl. Jan. 1478 §28. m. 3 If..the pleyntif or pleyntifs..refusen to be sworn..the defendaunt or defendauntes be quite. a1500 (c1477) T. Norton (BL Add.) (1975) 657 (MED) He fille in ful grete drede..That light to fynde men wolde refuse. 1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane f. vj He..will not refuse to stande in iudgement herein of the vniuersities of Germany and Paris. 1591 E. Spenser Prosopopoia in 21 Seeing kindly sleep refuse to doe His office. 1625 F. Quarles xiii. sig. D2v How can my thriuing Plants refuse to grow, Thus quickned with so sweet a Sun as thou? 1667 J. Milton ii. 451 Wherefore do I assume These Royalties, and not refuse to Reign..? View more context for this quotation 1719 E. Young iii. 38 My trembling Limbs Refuse to bear their Weight. 1780 W. Cowper 498 If stubborn Greek refuse to be his friend, Hebrew or Syriac shall be forced to bend. 1819 W. Scott Legend of Montrose Introd., in 3rd Ser. III. 138 His sister Janet..had refused to accompany her kinsfolks upon their emigration. 1874 J. R. Green viii. §3. 483 Eliot refused to move from his constitutional ground. 1936 J. C. Powys ii. iii. 112 His inspiration refused to return. 1977 R. B. Tisserand ii. 42 The successful healing of wounds which had refused to heal for years. 2006 Dec. 77/3 Right up to the last, she refused to admit fags were bad for her. 1609 Bp. W. Barlow 175 They obstinately refuse taking of the Oath. 1690 W. Temple Ess. Gardens of Epicurus in (1770) III. 204 It was no mean strain of his philosophy to refuse being secretary to Augustus. 1726 J. Swift I. ii. vii. 123 This Prince happened to be so curious and inquisitive upon every Particular, that it could not consist either with Gratitude or good Manners to refuse giving him what Satisfaction I was able. 1753 L. M. tr. J. Du Bosc II. 252 One of the principal actors..refused going upon the stage. 1766 II. 1152 The Officer of the inferior Court can not refuse paying obedience to the Writ. 1829 W. Scott p. xxvii I therefore considered myself entitled, like an accused person put upon trial, to refuse giving my own evidence to my own conviction. 1880 28 Sept. 6/5 They refuse going into the proof of their false statements on the absurd ground that they do not recognize the tribunal of inquiry. 1951 15 22 Cadogan acknowledged that Brydges was right not to refuse paying at Amsterdam such regiments as preferred to incur the trouble and expense of sending their paymasters thither. 2003 (Nexis) 26 May 14 A convicted child molester..was able to refuse giving a sample of his DNA to police. II. To reject. 2. the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > hold in contempt [verb (transitive)] > reject contemptuously c1350 Psalter (BL Add. 17376) in K. D. Bülbring (1891) lxxvii. 73 He refuled [read refused; c1400 Trin. Coll. Dublin refusid; L. repulit] þe tabernacle of Ioseph, and he ne ches nouȝt þe kynde of Effren. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) vi. 1132 A governour Of worldes good, if he be wys, Withinne his herte he set no pris Of al the world, and yit he useth The good, that he nothing refuseth, As he which lord is of the thinges. c1475 (1969) l. 185 (MED) Take þat ys to be takyn, and leue þat ys to be refusyde. c1480 (a1400) St. Katherine l. 814 in W. M. Metcalfe (1896) II. 465 Ches þe ane of twa; sacrifice..to my goddis, & liff in blis, or, gyf þat þu refoysis þis, to..perise sone? a1500 (c1477) T. Norton (BL Add.) (1975) 2227 (MED) Alle liquours shuld be refusid whiche frost infectid. 1526 Matt. xxi. f. xxxv The same stone which the bylders refused, is set in the princypall parte of the corner. 1611 Isa. vii. 15 That hee may know to refuse the euill, and choose the good. View more context for this quotation a1633 G. Herbert (1652) iv. 10 They say, it is an ill Mason that refuseth any stone. 1725 I. Watts iv. i By this means they [sc. poets and orators] will better judge what to chuse and what to refuse. 1779 S. Johnson 5 An intellectual digestion that concocted the pulp of learning, but refused the husks, had the appearance of an instinctive elegance. 1816 H. Downing 52 How, ever yielding to our own self-will, We would refuse the good, and choose the ill. 1859 J. Ruskin i. 44 A painter designs when he chooses some things, refuses others, and arranges all. 1996 G. Lakoff (2002) iv. 50 Suppose you then refuse both retribution and revenge. ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng (Petyt) ii. 103 (MED) Þorgh conseile of som of hise, refused [Fr. refusa] he þat present. a1500 (c1425) Andrew of Wyntoun (Nero) ii. l. 338 Bot he refoysitt þat curtassy, For þe worschep of his larde. 1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil iv. iii. 34 Quhat wickit wycht wald ever Refuse sic proffer..? 1580 J. Lyly Euphues & his Eng. in (new ed.) f. 73v That will..refuse the sweet Chesnut, for that it is couered with sharpe huskes. 1600 W. Shakespeare v. i. 211 No woman had it, but a ciuill Doctor, which did refuse three thousand ducats of me. View more context for this quotation 1671 J. Milton ii. 329 Meats by the Law unclean..young Daniel could refuse . View more context for this quotation 1710 J. Swift 2 Oct. (1948) I. 38 Lord Halifax began a health to me to-day:..which I refused. 1774 O. Goldsmith VII. 82 Four days after they refuse all vegetable food. 1820 P. B. Shelley in Lady Shelley (1859) 138 It was refused at Drury Lane..on a plea of the story being too horrible. 1847 L. H. Kerr tr. L. von Ranke 242 Rather let the duty be undertaken by those who refuse foreign assistance. 1904 G. K. Chesterton i. iii. 59 The great Bishops..were in the habit of refusing the honour of election three times and then accepting it. 1932 21 Mar. 9/1 The railways..were compelled to take anything offered them, while the road people could pick and choose and refuse what did not suit them. 1990 A. C. Amor (new ed.) vi. 84 Collins irritated Millais by refusing a helping of blackberry pudding. †3. the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from (action) [verb (transitive)] > avoid or shun J. Gaytryge (York Min.) (1901) 20 The seuen vertues that ilk man sal use, And..the seuen dedely sinnes that man sal refuse. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) iii. 164 (MED) This vice [sc. flattery] scholde be refused, Wherof the Princes ben assoted. a1500 (c1435) J. Lydgate (Lansd.) (1931) 439 (MED) Refuse nyce play & veyn plesaunce. 1526 (1531) 3 What we shold ensewe & folowe, and what we sholde refuse & forsake. a1535 T. More (1553) ii. xix. sig. M.iiii Geue themperour those thinges that are his, refusing al extorcion & bribery beside. 1610 W. Baldwin et al. in (new ed.) Induct. viii Examples there, for all estates you find,..the gentleman vngentlenes refuse. 1658 W. Sanderson 33 In your Imitations of Art or Copying, observe to hit the virtues of the Piece, and to refuse the Vices; for all Masters have somewhat, of them both. 1691 J. Hartcliffe 399 By his being well directed in his Morals, to refuse evil and to do good. a1450–1509 (?a1300) (A-version) (1913) 4697 (MED) For to graunte hem lyff ffor mede..Þou were wurþy to haue blame; Alle swylke werkes j reffuse [v.r. refuyse]. 4. the mind > language > statement > refusal > [verb (transitive)] > reject or cast off a person c1390 in C. Horstmann (1892) i. 144 (MED) Þer þe Meir makeþ entre, And..Þe Ieuh may nouȝt þe Meir refuse. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) vii. 2820 (MED) Every jugge was refused Which was noght frend to comun riht. c1460 (a1449) J. Lydgate (1934) ii. 508 Hym liked nat to knocken at the gate..List of his freend he were anoon refusyd As man vnknowe or for som spye accusyd. a1500 (?c1425) (1936) 198 (MED) Ruben, the preste of the temple..defyede and refusyd Joachim and his ȝiftis. c1540 (?a1400) (2002) f. 209 Þai meuit vnto Messan with þere men hole All refusit hom the folke of þe fyne plase. 1548 f. ccxixv She them vtterly refused for her seruauntes. 1556 W. Lauder sig. C3 I haue maid knawin..How that ȝe suld, Elect..Ȝour Iugis,..And quhome ȝe aucht, for to refuse Frome that gret office. 1611 Acts vii. 35 This Moses whom they refused, saying, who made thee a ruler and a Iudge? View more context for this quotation 1640 M. Parker (new ed.) 10 I for my part will utterly refuse thee. 1671 J. Milton iv. 493 [Thou] wouldst be thought my God, And storm'st refus'd, thinking to terrifie Mee to thy will. View more context for this quotation 1745 H. Mann Let. 29 June in H. Walpole (1954) XIX. 59 It being post day the porter as usual refused me. 1784 B. Franklin 1095 If both Britain and Ireland refuse you,..what is to be done? 1814 J. Austen II. vii. 158 Though I refuse you as a tenant, come to me as a friend. View more context for this quotation 1866 J. Timbs I. 278 A gentleman went to a proprietor of one of the coaches to take a place to Manchester, but owing to the enormous size of his person he was refused, unless he would consent to be taken as lumber, at 9d. per stone. 1886 G. Gissing I. xii. 285 His former visit, when he was refused at the Waltham's door, had been paid at an impulse. 1960 J. Cournos tr. A. Biely iv. 115 Near noon a Cuirassier called with a two-pound box of bonbons from Kraft's. His bonbons were accepted; he was refused. 1991 17 508 One of the workmen had tried to purchase a dozen of the little birds but Etie refused him as a customer. society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > proposal of marriage > propose marriage to [verb (transitive)] > refuse c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) §587 If Anetherdes doghter..be riche..of a thousand men,..oon wol nat forsaken hir ne refusen [c1430 Cambr. Gg.4.27 refuysen] hir. ?a1425 (c1400) (Titus C.xvi) (1919) 118 (MED) All the wommen þere ben comoun..And þei seyn þei synnen ȝif þei refusen ony man. 1484 W. Caxton tr. xi A yonge man..was so moche esprysed of her loue that by cause she reffused hym he deyde for her loue. a1500 (Ph.D. thesis, Univ. of Munich) (1911) 50 (MED) Hym that I loue, shal I not refuce. 1568 in W. T. Ritchie (1930) IV. f. 267 To luve I may complene That to haif luvit, and be refusit. 1600 E. Blount tr. G. F. di Conestaggio 266 Bicause she had refused so many great Kings and Princes in former times. 1658 T. Bromhall 13 In a Country called Marra, there was a very gallant and handsome young Lady, that had refused many in marriage. 1722 D. Defoe i. i. 11 I dare say she won't refuse him. 1773 O. Goldsmith v. 105 You know I can't refuse her till I'm of age, father. 1867 G. MacDonald I. i. 8 I had been refused a few months before. 1892 A. Conan Doyle xi. 259 Twice my boy has asked her to marry him..but each time she has refused him. 1936 M. Mitchell ii. xii. 218 And girls who knew very well that a lady always refused a gentleman the first three times he proposed rushed headlong to accept the first time. 1981 G. Battiscombe i. 15 She refused the well-born, well-to-do Colonel Macgregor and married Gabriele Rossetti. 1998 T. C. Boyle 260 When Katherine refused him, all but laughing in his face..Stanley got to his feet, made a curt bow and bolted for the door. the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting specific animals > [verb (transitive)] > hunt deer > reject c1425 Edward, Duke of York (Vesp. B.xii) (1904) 74 (MED) An hert chaceable of x..shuld not be refusid. society > armed hostility > armed encounter > contending in battle > fight (a battle, etc.) [verb (transitive)] > refuse (an opponent) a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich xliv. 569 (MED) Nolde Sire Nasciens him refuse, but..towardis him prikyde. a1513 R. Fabyan (1516) II. f. cliiv Syr wyllyam Darell refusyd his appellant or they had ronne theyr full coursys. 1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boece (1858) 57802 Ane man of his that callit wes Donald, Provoikit wes than be ane Inglisman, Hand for hand with him for to fecht than. This ilk Donald..wald him nocht refuis. 1579 T. North tr. Plutarch 999 Antonius..chalenged the combate of him man to man, though he were the elder: and that if he refused him so, he would then fight a battell with him in the fields of Pharsalia. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. vii. 39 No disgrace Shall fall you for refusing him at Sea, Being prepar'd for Land. View more context for this quotation society > authority > lack of subjection > refuse to submit to [verb (transitive)] society > authority > punishment > [verb (transitive)] > submit to or receive punishment > decline to submit c1391 J. Gower (Bodl. 294) Prol. 74* (MED) That thing may nought be refused What that a king himselve bit. a1425 (a1325) (Galba) l. 28678 Þis man..es in will to sin nomare, And refuses [a1400 Vesp. For-sakes] penance neuer þe lese. 1484 W. Caxton tr. v. xvi He that reffuseth the good doctryne of his fader, yf euyl happe cometh to hym it is but ryght. 1487 (a1380) J. Barbour (St. John's Cambr.) xii. 205 Nane payn sall refusit [1489 Adv. refusyt] be Till we haue maid our cuntre fre. 1536 R. Morison sig. A.iiv Say farewell welthe, where luste is lyked, and lawe refused. 1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane f. cxij [They] graunted out proces against certen,..whose iudgement, vnles they surceased they would refuse. a1618 W. Raleigh Sceptick in (1651) 15 This creature chuseth his food, refuseth the whip, fawneth on his Master. 1667 J. Milton vi. 41 To subdue By force, who reason for thir Law refuse . View more context for this quotation 1718 in J. E. T. Rogers (1875) I. 240 [Feb. 20] We, whose names are subscribed, do protest against the resolution for refusing the other instruction. 1785 W. Cowper v. 874 Yet thus we dote, refusing while we can Instruction. 1856 ‘Stonehenge’ 363/1 The orders to ride behind..could scarcely be refused by the jockey. 1957 T. Nelson 81 Some 25 years back a gang of us refused an order of the Union Co. to come back after the breakfast break for four hours. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) i. 1015 (MED) Thei of the suggestioun Ne couthen noght a word refuse, Bot for thei wolde hemself excuse, The blame upon the Duck thei leide. a1525 59 If so be he be a Notary sworen & admyttyd & may nott refuse hit, þat then the sayd John Mowton be put a-wey from the court. c1560 (a1500) (Copland) l. 400 Thou may not thy selfe excuse, This dede thou shalt no wise refuse. 1582 in (1910) VI. 146 To refwise all menor of thinges that the qwynes grese of Ingland will laye to your lordship's charge. 1667 J. Lamont (1830) 196 He..began to challenge the man for cutting his horse tayle..which the man refused. 1753 Extracts Trial J. Stewart in Sept. 449/2 The deponent refusing his having seen him. 1753 in App. 139 This letter was..shown this day to Allan Stewart his son, who refuses it to be his hand-writing. 1786 II. 42 He now complains these Pustles shourly would fill again. I refuse any such thing. 7. Of things. 1490 W. Caxton tr. x. 40 Her membres refuseden the swete reste of slepe. 1684 tr. T. Bonet xviii. 643 A young Man had been ill of an Ulcer in his Chin for 3 years, which refused all Medicines. 1726 G. Leoni tr. L. B. Alberti I. 75/2 We must..have such a depth, in..the Haven, as will not refuse Ships of burthen, though ever so deep laden. 1794 D. Steel II. 325 Clubhauling is practised when it is expected that a ship will refuse stays upon a lee shore. 1851 J. Stephen II. xiii. 24 How completely these controversies refused the solution of any precise and definite rules, may be inferred from an ordinance of Francis II. 1866 J. L. Hayes 6 The fibres..with which fleeces are sometimes bound, when incorporated with the woollen fabric, refuse the dye, and often ruin whole products of the loom. 1873 E. Spon 1st Ser. 152/1 The acid..causes the stone to refuse the printing ink except where touched by the chalk. 1945 ‘S. A. Kerby’ iii. 18 What had he said his name was..? Abu..her mind refused the question. 2007 E. Nemeth et al. (ed. 2) xxii. 746 This message tells you that the client does not have the right cookie, so the remote server refused the connection. the world > movement > absence of movement > [verb (intransitive)] > remain unmoved > resist being moved 1879 Sir R. Ball in V. 276 When the pile ‘refuses’, as it is technically termed..it..is capable of supporting the buildings. 1892 27 143 It sometimes happens that a pile refuses under a light ram with a high fall. 1915 F. N. Taylor iv. 69 It can be easily and rapidly driven, where a timber pile refuses. the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > habits and actions of horse > [verb (transitive)] > leap over obstacle > refuse or strike obstacle the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > habits and actions of horse > [verb (intransitive)] > leap or prance > jump over obstacle > refuse to 1525 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart ii. clxviii. 190/2 The first course they fayled for their horses refused at ye cope. 1584 J. Udall sig. f.viii If a horse will refuse that ditch, whereinto he hathe beene plunged,..then much more it behooueth the Children of God to auoide the company of those persons, by whose occasion they haue beene allured to sin. 1720 A. Smith (ed. 5) III. 107 With that they made up to the gate, which the Horse refused. 1815 in (Brit. Mus.) (1949) IX. 611 He won't refuse timber? 1840 T. De Quincey Style: No. III in Oct. 508/2 We shall endeavour to bring up our reader to the fence..But as we have reason to fear that he will ‘refuse’ it [etc.]. 1881 XII. 197/2 However bold the horse may be, he will soon refuse water if his rider be perpetually in two minds when approaching a brook. 1903 E. Œ. Somerville & ‘M. Ross’ 142 It was evident, at all events, that he did not mean to refuse. Nor did he; he..cleared it [sc. a wall] by more than twice its height. 1945 ‘G. Orwell’ iv. 31 Hunters refused their fences and shot their riders onto the other side. 1957 L. Durrell 228 His mind refused the jump; Karaolis was a young hero. 1995 Mar. 38/1 Remember the case of the trail horse who would do all the obstacles at home; then, at the show he'd act up and refuse the bridge. †III. To renounce, repudiate, forsake. 9. society > faith > aspects of faith > apostasy > renounce (God or Christ) [verb (transitive)] the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > reversal of or forsaking one's will or purpose > reverse or abandon one's purpose or intention [verb (transitive)] > desert or deny a person society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > divorce or dissolution > dissolve (a marriage) [verb (transitive)] > divorce (a spouse) > divorce a wife c1350 Psalter (BL Add. 17376) in K. D. Bülbring (1891) lxxvii. 65 God herd her folies and refused [a1382 E.V. despiside; a1425 L.V. forsook; L. sprevit] hem. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) vi. 2344 (MED) Nectanabus..for lust his god refuseth, And tok him to the dieules craft. c1425 J. Lydgate (Augustus A.iv) ii. 2825 (MED) Pallas was wrongly sette a-syde..And Iuno..Refusid was. ?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden (Harl. 2261) (1871) III. 389 (MED) Philippus..hade refusede [L. repudiata] Olimpias..for cause of adowtery. ?1530 sig. piv Thoughe suche a bylle of refusell was lawfull so that they that refusyd theyr wyfes therby, shulde be without payne in the lawe. 1562 in F. J. Furnivall (1897) 191 Now in her old age she wold not hurt her soule, and refuge Christ..in speakinge any thinge apon her othe but the truthe. 1562 T. Sternhold et al. 389 Refuse me not that am vniust. 1600 W. Shakespeare iv. i. 186 Refuse me, hate me, torture me to death. View more context for this quotation 1693 D. Williams 35 I speak of Pardon and Glory, which he hath promised upon Terms, and judicially denies to them that refuse Christ. the mind > possession > relinquishing > casting or laying aside > [verb (transitive)] > forsake > of things 1511 H. Watson tr. (new ed.) sig. k.ivv I haue herde saye he that refuseth reason reason wyll refuse hym. a1513 W. Dunbar (1998) I. 118 Gif it be thyn, thy self it vse, Gif it be nocht, thow it refuse. 1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil iii. 60 Thee winds and soonbeams vs, poore souls weerye, refused. a1600 Father's Counsel 12 in F. J. Furnivall (1869) 68 He þat yn yowþe no vertue wyll vse, In Age all honour wyll hym Refuse. c1600 A. Montgomerie (2000) I. 28 Vhat better ar they nor a beist Fra tym that Reson thame refuisis. the mind > language > malediction > oaths > [interjection] > religious oaths (referring to God) > egad 1596 tr. xxix. 218 The God Mahound refuse me then replied she, if I euer speake vnto him by my good will. 1612 J. Webster i. i God refuse me. c1626 (1955) 486 They should have found..another manner of noyse, then Dam me, & refuse me. 1640 tr. G. S. du Verdier ii. 84 God refuse me, said Arnides, if ever I come neer it. 1758 D. Garrick iv. 57 Mrs. Wild. Did you not pass the night, the live-long night, in wanton, stolen embraces? Wild. Refuse me if I did. the world > space > place > removal or displacement > remove or displace [verb (transitive)] > get or be rid of the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > causing to go away > command to go away [verb (transitive)] > send away or dismiss a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden (St. John's Cambr.) (1874) V. 53 He refused [?a1475 anon. tr. wolde expelle; L. recusaret] hem þat wolde nouȝt have hem in his loore. ?c1450 (1891) 7586 (MED) Walchere began forto moyse how he þat menȝe moght refoyse, And forto bryng in monkys agayne. a1475 (?a1430) J. Lydgate tr. G. Deguileville (Vitell.) 4534 (MED) My smert yerde I vse, Alle synnes to refuse, And do with-al correccioun. 1484 W. Caxton tr. G. de la Tour-Landry (1971) cxiiii. 152 They which were worthy to be blamed, were refused and separed oute of the felauship of the other. a1500 in F. J. Furnivall (1903) 69 (MED) Y that am yours..Reffuse me nat oute of your Remebraunce. 11. the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease from (an action or operation) [verb (transitive)] the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > unaccustomedness or state of disuse > give up a habit or practice [verb (transitive)] 1389 in R. W. Chambers & M. Daunt (1931) 47 (MED) He shal..do his deuer as a wardein..ought to do, & ȝif he refuse þe same doyng, he shal paie..xl s. c1400 (c1378) W. Langland (Laud 581) (1869) B. xix. 365 (MED) Alkyn crystene, saue comune wommen, Repenteden & refused synne. ?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden (Harl. 2261) (1874) V. 407 (MED) The Britons..myȝhte not refuse [a1387 St. John's Cambr. forsake; L. renunciare] theire olde rites withowte consente of olde faders. 1509 A. Barclay (Pynson) f. lxviii This day begyn thy lewde lyfe to refuse. 1589 R. Robinson sig. C The traueller, his iorney doth refuse. the mind > language > statement > refusal > [verb (transitive)] > refuse to bear (a name) c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. iv. 369 (MED) Þat is noþer reisonable ne rect to refusy my syres sorname. 1597 W. Shakespeare ii. i. 76 Denie thy Father, and refuse thy name. View more context for this quotation 1652 C. B. Stapylton tr. Herodian 36 Yea to such drunken dotage he was growne, He now refused flat his Fathers Name. the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > go away from [verb (transitive)] society > armed hostility > military operations > manoeuvre > [verb (transitive)] > retreat to > retreat from a1425 (?c1375) N. Homily Legendary (Harl.) in C. Horstmann (1881) 2nd Ser. 58 (MED) Cristen men þat place refused, None of þam efter þeder vsed. 1569 R. Grafton II. 15 In the ende king William was faine to refuse the fielde, and gat at that tyme none aduauntage of his..sonne. a1600 (1664) iii. 23 First of all refuse this place And down to yonder Valleys draw The walls. the mind > possession > relinquishing > relinquish or give up [verb (transitive)] > renounce > something naturally attractive a1450 tr. Aelred of Rievaulx (Bodl.) (1984) 17 (MED) Holy faders..studieden..to refuse al worldly good. 1472–3 (Electronic ed.) Parl. Oct. 1472 1st Roll §58. m. 5 The tenauntes..have refused their tenures, and the said maner lefte waste. c1480 (a1400) St. Andrew 920 in W. M. Metcalfe (1896) I. 89 Manis falowschipe haf I refoysit euir-mare halely. a1513 W. Dunbar (1998) I. 248 Reffus the warld, for thow mon be a freir. 1569 R. Grafton II. 308 (margin) The king here agreeth to refuse the name of the French king, and no more to call himselfe by that name. 1659 S. Clarke 404 The regenerate part being guided by the sanctified understanding, chooseth God as the chiefest good, and refuseth the world and earthly vanities. 1684 J. Bunyan Authors Way sig. A2v Yea tell them..how they still Refuse this World, to do their Fathers will. View more context for this quotation 1711 T. Rawbone ii. 148 Who would..refuse all the Pleasures of Sin, if he thought it were to no purpose? 1777 J. Reynolds 16 It is..in consequence of discipline, that we refuse the present for a greater good at a distance. IV. To make refusal or denial. the mind > language > statement > refusal > [verb (intransitive)] the mind > language > statement > refusal > [verb (transitive)] > refuse to approve or sanction the mind > language > statement > refusal > [verb (transitive)] > decline to receive or accept society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > other card games > [verb (intransitive)] > actions in specific games > in écarté c1400 (?c1390) (1940) 1772 Nede hym bihoued Oþer lach þer hir luf oþer lodly re-fuse. 1535 1 Sam. xxviii. 23 But he refused, and sayde, I wil not eate. 1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane f. cxxxv He not refusyng, toke his offer in very good part also. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) ii. iii. 138 If thou refuse, And wilt encounter with my Wrath, say so. View more context for this quotation 1668 C. Sedley i. iv Sister, tho' Laws of Decency refuse, We shining Swords, and glitt'ring Armour use. 1718 M. Prior Alma i, in (new ed.) 325 Before They're ask'd, can Maids refuse? 1780 W. Cowper 25 Free in his will to choose or to refuse, Man may improve the crisis, or abuse. 1847 E. Brontë II. xiv. 285 She refused, and he—he struck her down. 1877 VII. 620/1 The dealer may either accept or refuse... If the dealer refuses the hand is played without discarding. 1925 F. S. Fitzgerald vii. 164 Michaelis advised him to go to bed, but Wilson refused. 1964 K. Hanson vi. 115 But Chips and several other Daggers had come downtown to remind them of their duty to the old gang, and the boys were afraid to refuse. 2004 ‘J. Jameson’ & N. Strauss ii. xiii. 172 Whenever I asked her for a few chromes for a promo shot or to make a modeling book, she'd refuse. V. To deny or withhold. 13. the mind > language > statement > refusal > [verb (transitive)] ?1435 in C. L. Kingsford (1905) 77 Rich. Wodeville..refused hym his desire. a1450 (1885) 330 I recorde wele þe right Ȝe will no raþere refuse hym To he be dreuen to his dede and demed to dye. 1477 Earl Rivers tr. (Caxton) (1877) lf. 37 Whan thou wilt borowe or axe eny thing of any man, if it be refused the thou ought to be more ashamed of thin asking than he of his refus. 1554 D. Lindsay Dialog Experience & Courteour l. 5979 in (1931) I Quhen saw we thé in presoun ly, Or thé refusit herbery? ?1572 T. Paynell tr. iii. 77 Praying and beseeching you Madame, not to refuse me this gifte. 1621 H. Elsynge (1870) 53 That John Birde..[was arrested] by John Gillett..and refused baylle. 1674 in H. Paton (1914) I. 397 Your Grace..signified your displeasur with me by refuiseing me your hand. 1746 H. Walpole Let. 17 Jan. in (1954) XIX. 201 On their refusing him entrance, he burst open the door with his foot. 1782 F. Burney III. vi. xi. 358 I feel already that I can refuse you nothing. 1817 P. B. Shelley 16 Such pride as from impetuous love may spring, That will not be refused its offering. 1891 90 462/1 Where the court refuses a parent the custody of his child. a1925 H. T. Lane (1928) i. 42 If the child has moods of great dependence, do not refuse him the comfort for which he asks. 1940 C. Beaton Diary Sept. in (1979) x. 75 Winston had been so convinced of France's weakness that he had to refuse them the help of all our own fighter squadrons lest we ourselves be wiped out. 2004 S. Hall 121 When the boys came by he'd stand in the doorway and refuse them entry. 1484 W. Caxton tr. f. xiv v They whiche thou mayst wel helpe, refuse them not. 1612 in R. S. Barclay (1962) 19 Beggeris..that repairis sornis thruch the cuntrey..begging woll, fisch and cornis, and will not be refuissed. 1676 tr. J. Flavius i. xv. 42 He pray'd to God,..that he might know her by this sign, that asking all the rest for Water, they should refuse him, and she only satisfie him. 1741 S. Richardson IV. lxiv. 454 They were sure, when they were refused, they asked for something that would have done them hurt, had it been granted. 1785 W. Cowper iv. 418 These ask with painful shyness, and refused Because deserving, silently retire. 1817 P. B. Shelley ii. xxvii. 45 Soon I could not have refused her. 1826 3 Oct. 3/6 I called there for some assistance, but was refused. 1866 July 165 Some said he had asked Mr. Jefferson for a foreign mission, and been refused. 1915 W. Stephens tr. A. France 138 I could not refuse her, she asked so entreatingly. 1982 2 245 The distillers said that one year was not enough and asked for two years, but were refused. 2006 (Nexis) 21 Dec. 1 He was smelling strongly of drink and requested more drink but was refused. 14. the mind > language > statement > refusal > [verb (transitive)] > something to a person or thing 1477 Earl Rivers tr. (Caxton) (1877) lf. 27v Som simple folkes yeue to the vnnedy, and refuse hit to thoos that haue nede. 1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart I. f. cclxivv/1 The capitane of the towne..refused to hym the entre, and closed the gates agaynst hym and his. 1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay i. xvii. 19 b [To] obtaine of the great Lord that which by his lieuetenaunt was refused. a1600 (?c1535) tr. H. Boece Hist. Scotl. (Mar Lodge) f. 589v, in at Refus(e Edward..began to exerce new tyranny apone all refussing assistance to the Inglis party. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) v. i. 33 If you refuse your ayde..yet do not Vpbraid's with our distresse. View more context for this quotation 1651 in H. Paton (1914) I. 268 I desyre him not to refiuse a sight of my papers..to any of the Assembly. 1734 tr. C. Rollin I. 356 He could not refuse tears to the unhappy fate of Carthage. 1781 44 The most inexorable Tyrant does not refuse bread and water to the Criminal whom he has consigned to the Dungeon! 1822 P. B. Shelley 29 The Georgians Refuse their living tribute. 1859 Ld. Tennyson Enid in 24 When I..Refused her to him, then his pride awoke. 1885 XVIII. 45 Under the name Impennes we have a group of Birds, the Penguins... The title of an Order can scarcely be refused to them. 1936 J. G. Cozzens i. 153 Supporting the pad against his palm, he started to write in the dark: Call Mrs.—his mind, blank, surprisingly refused her married name and he laid the pencil down. 1959 ‘W. Haggard’ ii. 24 Mr Justice Downderry refused an injunction. 1996 26 June 5/1 In February a sheriff refused an adoption order because the couple had contravened the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act by paying. the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from action [verb (reflexive)] > avoid or shun 1739 tr. C. Rollin I. iii. i. 339 Veturia did not refuse herself to her country. 1753 Ld. Chesterfield 15 Jan. (1932) (modernized text) V. 1994 I have refused myself to everything that my own experience did not justify and confirm. 1788 E. Gibbon VI. lxiv. 288 Nor can I refuse myself to those events which..will interest a philosophic mind. 1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage III. vii. i. 19 She would fancy she had her death to answer for, had she refused herself to any of her whims. 1841 R. W. Emerson 1st Ser. (Boston ed.) xi. 284 Whilst he gives himself up unreservedly to that which draws him..he is to refuse himself to that which draws him not. 1921 I. E. Mackay vi. 46 Had he not refused himself to youth when youth had called? Had he not shut himself behind study doors while Spring crept in at the window? 1985 O. Mandel 210 Not..that he refused himself to other mistresses at the same time. society > authority > subjection > prohibition > prohibit [verb (transitive)] > disallow or refuse permission c1485 ( G. Hay (2005) 87 Gif a prince may lefully refus ane othir prince to pas his voyage throu his contre but scathe. a1525 G. Myll Spectakle of Luf in W. A. Craigie (1923) I. 275 Wemen mycht be tane at sic tymes that thai mycht nocht refus men to haif daill with thame. 1617 F. Moryson i. 171 The Guard refused me as a foot-man to passe into the Citie. 1657 T. Burton (1828) II. 308 They refused the magistrates of Edinburgh from the sacrament, for three years. 1688 Bp. G. Burnet 6 Sir William. W.—— who had been at Ford with the Prince, to see Sir William C.—— were both refused to be seen of him. 1706 C. Cibber i. 9 I'm glad Thy Pride refuses thee to enter here. 1753 S. Richardson II. vii. 107 Well, but, Sir Charles, I am refused to be of the Colnebrooke party—Absolutely refused. Will you accept of my company? 1841 Mar. 452 What has the House of Commons just done with regard to Serjeant Talford's Copyright Bill? Why, refused it to be brought in and decently discussed. 1869 H. van Laun 147 After her death the clergy of the church of Saint-Roch, in Paris, refused her to be buried there, because she had been an actress. 1934 C. Carter Let. 26 May in S. Schwartz (1986) vi. 94/1 We came to the conclusion that as long as they don't stir up any trouble and do everything peacefully we could not refuse them to be on the front. 2003 D. N. Karanja vi. 101 A school girl..threatened to commit suicide if her parents refused her to be mutilated. society > armed hostility > military operations > distribution of troops > [verb (transitive)] > withdraw from enemy's reach 1787 I. Landmann tr. F. C. von Saldern ii. xxvi. 151 It sometimes happens, that in passing through, distances must be taken backwards, because one wing is to be fixed, and the other refused. 1787 I. Landmann tr. F. C. von Saldern ii. xxvi. 287 Let the line be ABD..which again is composed of six battalions, and which is to refuse with three battalions, so that its right wing may come to be in the position BD. 1796 233 The echellons on one flank will be refused, and on the other they will advance..to envelope the enemy. 1802 C. James (at cited word) The French during the whole of the action..refused their right wing. 1875 A. W. Kinglake V. vi. 92 If the disposers of ordnance..should desire..to refuse their right, they might bend off that part of their artillery line along the crest. 1926 5 44 The right wing of the 4th Army was in the same position. Its left wing..forced Dankl's Army to refuse its right wing. 1976 40 51/2 In the mean time Montgomery had refused his left flank and anchored his own armor on the western end of the Alam Halfa ridge. 2003 S. E. Woodworth vi. 126 He responded by stretching his own line to match and then refusing his left flank—that is, swinging the left half of his line backwards like a gate on its hinges. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2009; most recently modified version published online March 2022). > see alsoalso refers to : re-fusev.2 < |
