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

See Examples For:

double negation

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 Therese Albertine Louise von Jacob Robinson

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

From Among My Books First Series by James Russell Lowell

The intensity of the speech called for the double negation.

From Afterwards by Kathlyn Rhodes

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 William James

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 John Hendricks Bechtel