Defuse vs Refuse - What's the difference?
defuse | refuse |
To remove the fuse from (a bomb, etc.).
To make less dangerous, tense, or hostile.
(obsolete) To disorder; to make shapeless.
* 1605 , , I. iv. 2:
(UK) Collectively, items or material that have been discarded; rubbish, garbage.
To decline (a request or demand).
* Bible, Isa. i. 20
* {{quote-news
, year=2011
, date=September 27
, author=Alistair Magowan
, title=Bayern Munich 2 - 0 Man City
, work=BBC Sport
To decline a request or demand, forbear; to withhold permission.
(military) To throw back, or cause to keep back (as the centre, a wing, or a flank), out of the regular alignment when troops are about to engage the enemy.
(obsolete) To disown.
* Shakespeare
In obsolete terms the difference between defuse and refuse
is that defuse is to disorder; to make shapeless while refuse is refusal.As verbs the difference between defuse and refuse
is that defuse is to remove the fuse from (a bomb, etc.) while refuse is to decline (a request or demand).As an adjective refuse is
discarded, rejected.As a noun refuse is
collectively, items or material that have been discarded; rubbish, garbage.defuse
English
Etymology 1
Verb
(Bomb disposal) (defus)Etymology 2
Compare (diffuse).Verb
(defus)- If but as well I other accents borrow / That can my speech defuse ,
refuse
English
Etymology 1
From (etyl) .Noun
(-)Synonyms
* discards * garbage (US ) * rubbish (UK ) * trash (US ) * See alsoEtymology 2
From (etyl) refuser, from .Verb
(refus)- My request for a pay rise was refused .
- I refuse to listen to this nonsense any more.
- If ye refuse ye shall be devoured with the sword.
citation, page= , passage=City were outclassed thereafter and Roberto Mancini said that substitute Carlos Tevez refused to play.}}
- I asked the star if I could have her autograph, but she refused .
- to refuse the right wing while the left wing attacks
- Refuse thy name.