deny

views updated Jun 11 2018

de·ny / diˈnī/ • v. (-nies, -nied) [tr.] refuse to admit the truth or existence of (something): they deny any responsibility for the tragedy. ∎  refuse to give (something requested or desired) to (someone): the inquiry was denied access to intelligence sources. ∎  refuse to accept or agree to: judges would retain the discretion to grant or deny the requests. ∎  refuse to acknowledge or recognize; disown: Peter repeatedly denied Jesus. ∎  (deny oneself) refrain from satisfying oneself: he had denied himself sexually for years. ∎ archaic refuse access to (someone): the servants are ordered to deny him.

deny

views updated May 14 2018

deny XIII. ME. denie — tonic stem-form deni- of (O)F. dénier, earlier deneier, denoier :- L. dēnegāre, f. DE- 3 + negāre (see NEGATION).
Hence denial XVI; see -AL 2.

Deny

views updated Jun 27 2018

DENY

To refuse to acknowledge something; to disclaim connection with or responsibility for an action or statement. To deny someone of a legal right is to deprive him or her of that right.

A denial is a part of a legal pleading that refutes the facts set forth by the opposing side. A general denial takes exception to all the material elements of the complaint or petition, and a specific denial addresses a particular allegation in issue.

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