To refuse to permit or approve something; to reject as invalid or unacceptable.
Formed by adding the prefix 'dis-' (meaning 'not' or 'opposite of') to 'allow'. The word 'allow' comes from Old French 'alouer', meaning 'to approve or praise'. The combination creates a word meaning 'to not allow' or 'to prohibit'.
Unlike 'refuse' which can be personal preference, 'disallow' typically implies an official or authoritative rejection - like a referee disallowing a goal in sports. It suggests there are rules or standards that make something unacceptable rather than just unwanted.
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