deny

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ We deny what another says, or we deny the truth of an assertion, the force of it, or the assertion itself. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To refuse (to do something or to accept something); to reject; to decline; to renounce. [ Obs. ] “If you deny to dance.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To refuse to grant; to withhold; to refuse to gratify or yield to; as, to deny a request. [ 1913 Webster ]

Who finds not Providence all good and wise,
Alike in what it gives, and what denies? Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

To some men, it is more agreeable to deny a vicious inclination, than to gratify it. J. Edwards. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To disclaim connection with, responsibility for, and the like; to refuse to acknowledge; to disown; to abjure; to disavow. [ 1913 Webster ]

The falsehood of denying his opinion. Bancroft. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thou thrice denied, yet thrice beloved. Keble. [ 1913 Webster ]

To deny one's self, to decline the gratification of appetites or desires; to practice self-denial. [ 1913 Webster ]

Let him deny himself, and take up his cross. Matt. xvi. 24. [ 1913 Webster ]