Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Refuse \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. [Obs.] ``Refuse thy name.'' --Shak.