negation

noun

1. the act or an instance of denying; negative answer; denial
2. the lack or opposite of some positive character or quality: death is the negation of life
3. something negative; nonentity

Origin: < Fr or L: Fr négation < L negatio < negatus, pp. of negare, to deny < neg(i)- < ne- (see no) + *-g(h)- < IE *ĝ(h)i, intens. particle used after negation