rebut Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb overthrow by argument, evidence, or proof
    refute.
    • The speaker refuted his opponent's arguments
  2. verb prove to be false or incorrect
    controvert; refute.

WordNet

Re*but" transitive verb
Etymology
OF. rebter to repulse, drive back; pref. re- + bouter to push, thrust. See 1st Butt, Boutade.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Rebutted; present participle & verbal noun Rebutting
Definitions
  1. To drive or beat back; to repulse.
    Who him, recount'ring fierce, as hawk in flight, Perforce rebutted back. Spenser.
  2. (Law) To contradict, meet, or oppose by argument, plea, or countervailing proof. Abbott.
Re*but" intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To retire; to recoil. Obs. Spenser.
  2. (Law) To make, or put in, an answer, as to a plaintiff's surrejoinder.
    The plaintiff may answer the rejoinder by a surrejoinder; on which the defendant. Blackstone.

Webster 1913