refuse
UK/rɪˈfju:z/US/ri'fju:z/
NGSL 2kTOEFLB1
Definitions
v.
To say you will not do or accept something
拒绝，回绝
n.
Waste material; rubbish
废弃物，垃圾
Root Breakdown
Native Englishre- (back) + fus (pour) = 'pour back.' To refuse is to pour an offer back at the giver instead of accepting it. The noun refuse ('rubbish') is the same image — stuff poured back out, discarded — but note the stress shifts (see usage).
Root flu still carries 61 more wordsUsage Guide
Stress and meaning shift together: re-FUSE (verb, /-z/) = decline; REF-use (noun, /-s/) = rubbish. They look identical in writing but are pronounced differently and mean different things.
Example Sentences
- 1.
She refused to answer any of their questions.
- 2.
The council collects household refuse every Tuesday.