refused
UK[rɪˈfjuːzd]US[rɪˈfjuːzd]
v
Past tense and past participle of 'refuse'. To say or show that you are not willing to do, accept, or allow something.
adj
Not accepted or wanted.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
fus
ed
re
back, again
fus
pour, melt
ed
past tense suffix
Etymology
The word 'refused' originates from the Latin verb refusare, a frequentative form of refundere, meaning "to pour back." The core Latin root fundere (to pour) carries the metaphorical sense of melting or casting, implying a flowing away or dispersal. The prefix re- (back) combined with this root created the sense of "to pour back" or "to reject," which evolved into the Old French refuser. Entering English in the 14th century, it came to mean to decline or withhold acceptance. The addition of the '-ed' suffix marks its standard function as the regular past tense and participle, solidifying its grammatical role while retaining the original semantic core of sending an offer or request "back" whence it came.
Analysis
Structure: re (back, again) + fus (pour, melt) + ed (past tense suffix)
re: Latin origin. A prefix meaning "back" or "again."
fus: Latin origin. From the root of the verb fundere, meaning "to pour" or "to melt."
ed: Old English origin. A suffix used to form the past tense and past participle of regular verbs.
Examples
She refused the offer of a promotion.
The machine refused to start despite several attempts.
The refused materials were sent back to the supplier.