deny etymology

Etymology:

  • Middle English denien, denyen, from Anglo-Norman French denier, denyer, from Old French denier, meaning "to refuse, deny," from Latin denigāre, meaning "to blacken, defile," from de- (prefix meaning "away, down") + -nigrāre (verb meaning "to blacken," from niger, meaning "black").

Meaning and Origin:

"Deny" originally meant "to blacken or defile" something. This sense is still found in some expressions, such as "to deny one's reputation." Over time, the meaning of "deny" evolved to mean "to refuse to admit or acknowledge something."

"Deny" can be used in a variety of contexts, including:

  • To express disagreement or opposition: "I deny that the earth is flat."
  • To refuse to allow or give something: "The doctor denied her request for more pain medication."
  • To disavow or reject something: "The suspect denied any involvement in the crime."
  • To contradict or refute something: "The evidence denies the witness's testimony."

deny relate terms

  • denial

    Etymology The word denial derives from the Middle English denien deny which origi

  • deny

    Etymology Middle English denien denyen from Anglo Norman French denier denyer from

  • deny

    Etymology Middle English denien denyen from Anglo Norman French denier denyer from

  • negative

    Etymology Prefix neg Latin meaning no not Root agere Latin meaning to do

  • admit

    Etymology The word admit originates from the Latin verb admittere which means to se

  • allow

    Etymology Middle English allowen alowe from Old French aloer alouer from Late Latin

  • forsake

    Etymology Old English forsacan Proto Germanic fursakaną Proto Indo European pre sk

  • gainsay

    Etymology Origin Middle English gainsayen from Old French gainsdire from Medieval Lati

  • abjuration

    Etymology The word abjuration is derived from the Latin word abjurare which means

  • beseech

    Etymology Old French beseschier Late Latin besecius Medieval Latin besechius V

  • contain

    Etymology Latin continere Late Latin contēnere Meaning To hold or enclose s

  • refuse

    Etymology Old French refus refuser Latin refutare to refute reject oppose Proto

  • hold

    Etymology Old English healdan Proto West Germanic haldan Proto Germanic haldaną P