refusal-n; 3 Senses

Sense Number 1: the act of withholding approval, not accepting

Commentary: REFUSAL[+action][+communication][-acceptance]
NOTE: nominalization: their refusal to cooperate -> they refused to cooperate

Examples:
Their refusal to cooperate with the U.N. inspectors has made the task difficult.
The town's refusal of a zoning variance has made the property less valuable.
John was disappointed by Mary's refusal of his hand in marriage.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 2: a written message of nonacceptance

Commentary: REFUSAL[+entity][+artifact][+document][+letter][+rejection]
NOTE: refers to a physical document

Examples:
John has a stack of refusals on his desk from publishers.
Mary thought the thin envelope from the board of admissions looked like a refusal.
My boss assigned me the task of composing and sending out refusals to three job applicants.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 2

Sense Number 3: having the option to accept or not accept

Commentary: REFUSAL[+state][+choice][-acceptance]
NOTE: usually in the phrase 'first refusal'
NOTE: refers to the -potential- to reject, not a specific act of rejection (Sense 1)

Examples:
The contract gives John right of first refusal on these two properties.
That film studio got first refusal on this screenplay.

Mappings:
WordNet 0.0 Sense Numbers: 2