rebuff
UK[rɪˈbʌf]US[rɪˈbʌf]
v
To reject or criticize someone or something in an abrupt or unkind way.
n
An abrupt or unkind rejection of an offer, request, or friendly gesture.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
buff
re
again
buff
blow
Etymology
The word "rebuff" entered English in the late 16th century from the obsolete French verb 'rebuffer', which itself came from the Italian 'ribuffare', meaning "to reprimand". This Italian term was formed from 'ri-' (a variant of 're-', meaning "back") and 'buffo' (meaning "a puff" or "a blow"). The core imagery is that of a sharp, sudden puff of wind or a physical blow that pushes something back. Over time, this concrete sense of a forceful repulsion evolved into the modern abstract meaning of a blunt, often discourteous, rejection or refusal of an advance, proposal, or person.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + buff (blow)
re: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "again" or "back".
buff: From the Old French 'buffe' or Italian 'buffo', meaning "a blow" or "a puff".
Examples
She rebuffed all attempts to negotiate a settlement.
His offer of help was met with a sharp rebuff.
The company rebuffed the hostile takeover bid.