Rebuff, n.
Etymology: [It. ribuffo, akin to ribuffare to repulse; pref. ri- (L. re-) + buffo puff. Cf. Buff to strike, Buffet a blow.]
1. Repercussion, or beating back; a quick and sudden resistance. The strong rebuff of some tumultuous cloud. Milton.
2. Sudden check; unexpected repulse; defeat; refusal; repellence; rejection of solicitation.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Rebuff, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rebuffed; p. pr. & vb. n. Rebuffing.]
To beat back; to offer sudden resistance to; to check; to repel or repulse violently, harshly, or uncourteously.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists rebuff only as an antonym, under draw.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.
Synonyms
none given