Deny

De*ny", v. i. To answer in ??? negative; to declare an assertion not to be true.

Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid.

De*ny" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Denied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Denying.] [OE. denien, denaien, OF. denier, deneer, F. dénier, fr. L. denegare; de- + negare to say no, deny. See Negation.] 1. To declare not to be true; to gainsay; to contradict; -- opposed to affirm, allow, or admit.

☞ We deny what another says, or we deny the truth of an assertion, the force of it, or the assertion itself.

2. To refuse (to do something or to accept something); to reject; to decline; to renounce. [Obs.] "If you deny to dance." Shak.

3. To refuse to grant; to withhold; to refuse to gratify or yield to; as, to deny a request.

Who finds not Providence all good and wise,
Alike in what it gives, and what denies?

To some men, it is more agreeable to deny a vicious inclination, than to gratify it.

4. To disclaim connection with, responsibility for, and the like; to refuse to acknowledge; to disown; to abjure; to disavow.

The falsehood of denying his opinion.

Thou thrice denied, yet thrice beloved.

To deny one's self, to decline the gratification of appetites or desires; to practice self- denial.

Let him deny himself, and take up his cross.