1510s, "refuse, reject," from Middle French réfuter (16c.) and directly from Latin refutare "drive back; rebut, disprove; repress, repel, resist, oppose," from re- "back" (see re-) + -futare "to beat," probably from PIE root *bhau- "to strike down" (see bat (n.1)).
Meaning "prove wrong" dates from 1540s. Since c. 1964 linguists have frowned on the subtle shift in meaning towards "to deny," as it is used in connection with allegation. Related: Refuted; refuting.
实用例句
1. Isabelle is quick to refute any suggestion of intellectual snobbery.
伊莎贝尔对于任何关于她恃才傲物的暗示都迅速予以否认。
来自柯林斯例句
2. It goes without saying that we have the right to refute them publicly.
不用说我们有权公开驳斥他们.
来自《简明英汉词典》
3. The meeting was very lively and informal with everyone chipping to supplement or refute what the speakers said.
会议开得很活跃,不拘束,每个人都能插话补充,或反驳发言者的讲话.
来自《简明英汉词典》
4. It was the kind of rumour that it is impossible to refute.
这是那种让人根本没法批驳的谣言。
来自辞典例句
5. Any attempt to defend wilderness preservation must confront and attempt to refute this position.
