Verb

(refus)

To decline (a request or demand).

My request for a pay rise was refused .

I refuse to listen to this nonsense any more.

* Bible, Isa. i. 20

If ye refuse ye shall be devoured with the sword.

* {{quote-news

, year=2011 , date=September 27 , author=Alistair Magowan , title=Bayern Munich 2 - 0 Man City , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=City were outclassed thereafter and Roberto Mancini said that substitute Carlos Tevez refused to play.}}

To decline a request or demand, forbear; to withhold permission.

I asked the star if I could have her autograph, but she refused .

(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.

to refuse the right wing while the left wing attacks

(obsolete) To disown.

* Shakespeare

Refuse thy name.

Verb

(es)

(ambitransitive) To fail to hit.

I missed the target.

I tried to kick the ball, but missed .

* (Francis Bacon) (1561-1626)

Men observe when things hit, and not when they miss .

* (Edmund Waller) (1606-1687)

Flying bullets now, / To execute his rage, appear too slow; / They miss , or sweep but common souls away.

To fail to achieve or attain.

to miss an opportunity

* (John Locke) (1632-1705)

When a man misses his great end, happiness, he will acknowledge he judged not right.

To feel the absence of someone or something, sometimes with regret.

I miss you! Come home soon!

* (John Milton) (1608-1674)

What by me thou hast lost, thou least shalt miss .

*

The boy became volubly friendly and bubbling over with unexpected humour and high spirits. He tried to persuade Cicely to stay away from the ball-room for a fourth dance. Nobody would miss them, he explained.

To fail to understand or have a shortcoming of perception.

miss the joke

To fail to attend.

Joe missed the meeting this morning.

To be late for something (a means of transportation, a deadline, etc.).

I missed the plane!

(sports) To fail to score (a goal).

* {{quote-news, year=2011, date=September 18, author=Ben Dirs, work=BBC Sport

, title= Rugby World Cup 2011: England 41-10 Georgia , passage=Georgia, ranked 16th in the world, dominated the breakdown before half-time and forced England into a host of infringements, but fly-half Merab Kvirikashvili missed three penalties.}}

(obsolete) To go wrong; to err.

* (Edmund Spenser) (c.1552–1599)

Amongst the angels, a whole legion / Of wicked sprites did fall from happy bliss; / What wonder then if one, of women all, did miss ?

(obsolete) To be absent, deficient, or wanting.

* (William Shakespeare) (c.1564–1616)

What here shall miss , our toil shall strive to mend.