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.
例文
1. Isabelle is quick to refute any suggestion of intellectual snobbery.
イザベルは、彼女の自慢話に関するいかなる暗示も迅速に否定した。
2.It goes without saying that we have the right to refute them publicly.
彼らを公然と反駁する権利があるのは言うまでもない。
3.The meeting was very lively and informal with everyone chipping to supplement or refute what the speakers said.
会議は活発に開かれ、拘束せず、誰もが補間したり、発言者の発言に反論したりすることができます。
4.It was the kind of rumour that it is impossible to refute .
これはまったく反論できないデマだ。
5.Any attempt to defend wilderness presrvation must confront and attempt to refute this position.