Noun: denial di'nI(-u)l or de'nI(-u)l
- The act of asserting that something alleged is not true
"His denial of the rumours did little to quell speculation";
- disaffirmation
- A rejection of a request or application
"it resulted in a complete denial of his privileges"
- (psychiatry) a defence mechanism that denies painful thoughts
"His denial of the diagnosis prevented him from seeking necessary treatment"
- (law) a defendant's answer or plea denying the truth of the charges against them
"The defendant entered a formal denial of all charges";
- defense [US], defence [Brit, Cdn], demurrer
- Renunciation of your own interests in favour of the interests of others
"The monk's life of self-denial impressed many visitors to the monastery";
- abnegation, self-abnegation, self-denial, self-renunciation
Derived forms: denials
Type of: assertion, asseveration, averment, defence [Brit, Cdn], defence mechanism [Brit, Cdn], defence reaction [Brit, Cdn], defense [US], defense mechanism [US], defense reaction [US], due process, due process of law, forgoing, forswearing, renunciation, selflessness, self-sacrifice, speech act
Part of: trial
Encyclopedia: Denial, Anger, Acceptance