negātiō

1. Negare means to deny, from objective motives, when a man has, or professes to have, the truth in view, like ἀποφάναι, οὐ φάναι; whereas infiteri, infitiari, and infitias ire, mean to disown from subjective motives, when personal interest is in some way implicated, like ἀρνεῖσθαι. 2. Infiteri is an obsolete expression; infitiari (ἀνα-φατίζειν,) the usual and general expression; infitias (ἀμφασίας) ire is only connected with a negation, and answers to the phrase, not to assent to. 3. Negatio is a denial, merely conveying information to the hearer; pernegatio, or negitatio, to convince him, when he is incredulous; denegatio, to get rid of his importunity, when his request is useless. Martial, Ep. iv. 82. Negare jussi, pernegare non jussi. Cic. Phil. xi. 8, 19. In quo maximum nobis onus imposuit, assensero; ambitionem induxero in curiam; negaro; videbor suffragio meo tanquam comitiis honorem amicissimo denegasse. 4. Negare supposes a question only, whether actual or possible, which is denied; whereas recusare, a request which is refused; hence negare is a more general and mild expression than recusare; for the negans merely denies the possibility of granting what he is asked or requested; whereas the recusans also calls in question the justice of the request, which he protests against as a threat, or as an encroachment. Hence negare, denegare, are more used in private transactions; recusare, in public affairs. 5. Negare and recusare take place by means of words and speeches; abnuere and renuere, mostly by signs and gestures; abnuere, by waving a person from one with the hand, like ἀπονεύω; renuere, by drawing back the head, like ἀνανεύω. 6. Abnuere is a more friendly, renuere a haughtier manner of denying. 7. Recusare refers to an object which is considered as a burden, and claims resignation, in opp. to suscipere, Suet. Ner. 3; whereas repudiare (from repedare?) refers to an object which is considered as a good, and promises profit or pleasure, in opp. to assumere. Cic. Orat. 62. Cic. Fin. i. 10, 33. Sæpe eveniet ut et voluptates repudiandæ sint, et molestia non recusanda. (iv. 40.)