double negation

British  

noun

1. logic the principle that a statement is equivalent to the denial of its negation, as it is not the case that John is not here meaning John is here

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Example Sentences

Now Hegel himself, in building up his method of double negation, offers the vividest possible example of this vice of intellectualism.

From A Pluralistic Universe Hibbert Lectures at Manchester College on the Present Situation in Philosophy by James, William

Upon which double negation, which he meant as a stronger affirmative, the worthy champion would walk in to play his game of bezique with the commandant.

From Tartarin of Tarascon by Daudet, Alphonse

As we already have one negative in the word not, the word neither should be changed to either, to avoid the double negation.

From Slips of Speech : a Helpful Book for Everyone Who Aspires to Correct the Everyday Errors of Speaking by Bechtel, John Hendricks

The main thing now is to grasp the generalized vision, and feel the authority of the abstract scheme of a statement self-secured by involving double negation.

From A Pluralistic Universe Hibbert Lectures at Manchester College on the Present Situation in Philosophy by James, William

A double negation occurs in Slavic frequently, without indicating an affirmation; for even if another negation has already taken place, they are accustomed to prefix to the verb the negative particle ne or nje.

From Historical View of the Languages and Literature of the Slavic Nations by Robinson, Therese Albertine Louise von Jacob