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rebut

[ri-buht]
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verb (used with object), re·but·ted, re·but·ting.
  1. to refute by evidence or argument.
  2. to oppose by contrary proof.
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verb (used without object), re·but·ted, re·but·ting.
  1. to provide some evidence or argument that refutes or opposes.
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Origin of rebut

1250–1300; Middle English reb(o)uten < Old French rebouter, equivalent to re- re- + bouter butt3
Related formsre·but·ta·ble, adjectiveun·re·but·ta·ble, adjectiveun·re·but·ted, adjective
Can be confuseddeny disapprove disprove rebut refute

Synonyms

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1. disprove, confute.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

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British Dictionary definitions for rebuttable

rebut

verb -buts, -butting or -butted
  1. (tr) to refute or disprove, esp by offering a contrary contention or argument
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Derived Formsrebuttable, adjectiverebuttal, noun

Word Origin

C13: from Old French reboter, from re- + boter to thrust, butt ³
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for rebuttable

rebut

v.

c.1300, "to thrust back," from Old French reboter, rebuter "to thrust back," from re- "back" (see re-) + boter "to thrust, hit" (see butt (v.)). Legalese sense of "try to disprove, refute by evidence or argument" is from 1817. Related: Rebutted; rebutting.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper