De*ni"al (?), n. [See Deny.]

1.

The act of gainsaying, refusing, or disowning; negation; -- the contrary of affirmation.

You ought to converse with so much sincerity that your bare affirmation or denial may be sufficient. Bp. Stillingfleet.

2.

A refusal to admit the truth of a statement, charge, imputation, etc.; assertion of the untruth of a thing stated or maintained; a contradiction.

3.

A refusal to grant; rejection of a request.

The commissioners, . . . to obtain from the king's subjects as much as they would willingly give, . . . had not to complain of many peremptory denials. Hallam.

4.

A refusal to acknowledge; disclaimer of connection with; disavowal; -- the contrary of confession; as, the denial of a fault charged on one; a denial of God.

Denial of one's self, a declining of some gratification; restraint of one's appetites or propensities; self-denial.

 

© Webster 1913.