rebut definition |Dictionary.com

Related Searches

on Ask.com

how did john jay rebut his opponent's arguments

rebutting a computer

what is a rebut for debating

rebut

7 dictionary results for: rebut

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

re·but

[ri-buht] Pronunciation Key verb, -but·ted, -but·ting.

–verb (used with object)

1.	to refute by evidence or argument.

2.	to oppose by contrary proof.

–verb (used without object)

3.	to provide some evidence or argument that refutes or opposes.

[Origin: 1250–1300; ME reb(o)uten < OF rebouter, equiv. to re- re- + bouter to butt³

]

—Related forms

re·but·ta·ble, adjective

—Synonyms 1. disprove, confute.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

re·but   (rĭ-bŭt') Pronunciation Key
v.   re·but·ted, re·but·ting, re·buts

v.   tr.

To refute, especially by offering opposing evidence or arguments, as in a legal case.
To repel.

v. intr.
To present opposing evidence or arguments.

[Middle English reboten, rebutte, to rebuke, repel, from Old French rebouter : re-, re- + bouter, to push (of Germanic origin; see bhau- in Indo-European roots).]

(Download Now or Buy the Book)
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
rebut

c.1300, from O.Fr. rebuter "to thrust back," from re- "back" + boter "to thrust, hit" (see butt (v.)). Sense of "try to disprove, refute" is from 1817. Rebuttal first recorded 1830.

CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

rebut
verb
1.	overthrow by argument, evidence, or proof; "The speaker refuted his opponent's arguments" [syn: refute]
2.	prove to be false or incorrect [syn: refute]

CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: re·but
Pronunciation: ri-'b&t
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: re·but·ted; re·but·ting
Etymology: Anglo-French reboter rebuter to answer a charge, bar from an action, literally, to repulse, rebuff, from Old French reboter, from re- back + boter to push, butt
: to refute, counteract, or disprove (as opposing evidence) by evidence or argument <rebut damaging testimony> <rebut a presumption> —re·but·ta·ble adjective —re·but·ta·bly adverb

CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Rebut

Re*but"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rebutted; p. pr. & vb. n. Rebutting.] [OF. reb??ter to repulse, drive back; pref. re- + bouter to push, thrust. See 1st Butt, Boutade.]

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.

CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Rebut

Re*but"\, v. i. 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.

CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT