First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1spurn
verb \ˈspərn\
: to refuse to accept (someone or something that you do not think deserves your respect, attention, affection, etc.)
Full Definition of SPURN
intransitive verb
2
archaic : to reject something disdainfully
transitive verb
1
: to tread sharply or heavily upon : trample
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Origin of SPURN
Middle English, from Old English spurnan; akin to Old High German spurnan to kick, Latin spernere to spurn, Greek spairein to quiver
Related to SPURN
Synonym Discussion of SPURN
decline, refuse, reject, repudiate, spurn mean to turn away by not accepting, receiving, or considering. decline often implies courteous refusal especially of offers or invitations <declined his party's nomination>. refuse suggests more positiveness or ungraciousness and often implies the denial of something asked for <refused to lend them the money>. reject implies a peremptory refusal by sending away or discarding <rejected the manuscript as unpublishable>. repudiate implies a casting off or disowning as untrue, unauthorized, or unworthy of acceptance <teenagers who repudiate the values of their parents>. spurn stresses contempt or disdain in rejection or repudiation <spurned his overtures of friendship>.
2spurn
noun
Definition of SPURN
2
a : disdainful rejection b : contemptuous treatment
First Known Use of SPURN
14th century
SPURN Defined for Kids
spurn
verb \ˈspərn\
spurnedspurn·ing
Definition of SPURN for Kids
: to reject with scorn <He spurned the offer.>
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