Emily Dickinson Lexicon

RE-FUTE, v.t. [Fr. refuter; L. refuto; re and futo, obs. The primary sense of futo, is to drive or thrust, to beat back. Class Bd.]

To disprove and overthrow by argument, evidence or countervailing proof; to prove to be false or erroneous; to confute. We say, to refute arguments, to refute testimony, to refute opinions or theories, to refute a disputant. There were so many witnesses to these two miracles, that it is impossible to refute such multitudes. – Addison.