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spurn |
4 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Spurn \Spurn\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Spurned}; p. pr & vb n. {Spurning}.] [OE. spurnen to kick against, to stumble over AS spurnan to kick, offend; akin to spura spur, OS & OHG. spurnan to kick, Icel. spyrna, L. spernere to despise, Skr. sphur to jerk, to push [root]171. See {Spur}.] 1. To drive back or away as with the foot; to kick. [The bird] with his foot will spurn adown his cup. --Chaucer. I spurn thee like a cur out of my way --Shak. 2. To reject with disdain; to scorn to receive or accept to treat with contempt. What safe and nicely I might well delay By rule of knighthood, I disdain and spurn. --Shak. Domestics will pay a more cheerful service when they find themselves not spurned because fortune has laid them at their master's feet. --Locke. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Spurn \Spurn\, v. i. 1. To kick or toss up the heels. The miller spurned at a stone. --Chaucer. The drunken chairman in the kennel spurns. --Gay. 2. To manifest disdain in rejecting anything to make contemptuous opposition or resistance. Nay, more to spurn at your most royal image. --Shak. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Spurn \Spurn\, n. 1. A kick; a blow with the foot. [R.] What defence can properly be used in such a despicable encounter as this but either the slap or the spurn? --Milton. 2. Disdainful rejection; contemptuous tratment. The insolence of office and the spurns That patient merit of the unworthy takes --Shak. 3. (Mining) A body of coal left to sustain an overhanding mass. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: spurn v : reject with contempt; "She spurned his advances" [syn: {reject}, {freeze off}, {scorn}, {pooh-pooh}, {disdain}, {turn down}]
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