rebuff Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
    slight.
  2. noun an instance of driving away or warding off
    repulse; snub.
  3. verb reject outright and bluntly
    repel; snub.
    • She snubbed his proposal
  4. verb force or drive back
    repulse; repel; drive back; fight off.
    • repel the attacker
    • fight off the onslaught
    • rebuff the attack

WordNet

Re*buff" noun
Etymology
It. ribuffo, akin to ribuffare to repulse; pref. ri- (L. re-) + buffo puff. Cf. Buff to strike, Buffet a blow.
Definitions
  1. Repercussion, or beating back; a quick and sudden resistance.
    The strong rebuff of some tumultuous cloud. Milton.
  2. Sudden check; unexpected repulse; defeat; refusal; repellence; rejection of solicitation.
Re*buff" transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Rebuffed ; present participle & verbal noun Rebuffing
Definitions
  1. To beat back; to offer sudden resistance to; to check; to repel or repulse violently, harshly, or uncourteously.

Webster 1913