Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1712-1786, 1865
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REFUISE, v., n. Also refase (Edb. 1895 J. Tweeddale Moff 213; wm.Sc. 1925 D. Mackenzie Macmorro's Luck 26), refaise (Lnk. 1893 J. Crawford Sc. Verses 83, Lth., Ayr. 1923–26 Wilson); refeese (Abd., a.1807 J. Skinner Amusements (1809) 27, 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xxxi.; Mry. 1922 Swatches o' Hamespun 21; ‡ne.Sc. 1968), refiese (Abd. 1817 J. Christie Instructions 77). Sc. form and usages of Eng. refuse. [I., m., s.Sc. ‡rə′fø:z, Lth. + rə′fjøz; rə′fe:z; ne.Sc. ‡rə′fi:z]
I. v. †1. To deny. Obs. in Eng. in 15th c. Hence refusall, denial.Wgt. 1712 Session Rec. Kirkinner MS. (3 Feb.):
She refused that she went any further with her.Kcb. 1730 Session Bk. Minnigaff (1939) 534:
He persisted in his refusall of guilt.Rxb. 1736 Melrose Par. Rec. (S.R.S.) 216:
(She says) they were married. . . . He refuses the marriage.Abd. 1746 Hist. Papers Jacobite Period (S.C.) I. 271:
Refuses he was concerned any manner of way in the Rebellion.Ork. 1786 Ork. Miscellany II. 42:
He now complains these Pustles shourly would fill again. I refuse any such thing.
2. With to and inf.: To refuse to allow, forbid. Obs. in Eng. in 17th c.Fif. 1865 St. Andrews Gazette (8 April):
Dr. Lindsay read extracts from the Board of Trade wherein they refuse old lifeboats, as such, to be handed over to any one, unless the air cells, &c., are removed, and the hull alone disposed of.
II. n. A refusal (Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; Rxb. 1942 Zai; ne.Sc., Slg., Fif., Wgt. 1968). Obs. in Eng. in 17th c.
