refusal

UK: rɪˈfjuːz(ə)l | US: rɪˈfjuːz(ə)l

Definition

  1. n. the act of refusing or rejecting something

  2. n. a formal statement denying acceptance or compliance

Structure
re <back>fus <pour>al <noun suffix>
Etymology

refusal = re<back> + fus<pour> + al<noun suffix>

  • re: Latin prefix meaning "back" or "again," indicating reversal or opposition.
  • fus: From Latin fundere ("to pour"), metaphorically extended to mean "yield" or "melt," later evolving into "refuse" (to pour back/reject).
  • al: Noun-forming suffix indicating an action or result (e.g., "approval," "denial").

Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin refusare, a frequentative form of refundere ("to pour back"). The core idea of "pouring back" metaphorically shifted to "rejecting" or "denying" in Old French (refuser), later formalized in English as refusal—a noun capturing the act of refusal.

Examples

  1. Her refusal to attend the meeting surprised everyone.

  2. The committee’s refusal of the proposal was unanimous.

  3. He met their request with a polite but firm refusal.

  4. The refusal of entry left the travelers stranded.

  5. Silence is sometimes interpreted as refusal.