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

---

Example Sentences

The old English double negation seems never to have been heard of by the court.

From Among My Books First Series by Lowell, James Russell

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

There is much significance in the double negation of my text, 'Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision.'

From Expositions of Holy Scripture Second Corinthians, Galatians, and Philippians Chapters I to End. Colossians, Thessalonians, and First Timothy. by Maclaren, Alexander

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

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