Definitions for: Contradiction


[n] the speech act of contradicting someone; "he spoke as if he thought his claims were immune to contradiction"
[n] (logic) a statement that is necessarily false; "the statement `he is brave and he is not brave' is a contradiction"
[n] opposition between two conflicting forces or ideas



Webster (1913) Definition: Con`tra*dic"tion, n. [L. contradictio answer,
objection: cf. F. contradiction.]
1. An assertion of the contrary to what has been said or
affirmed; denial of the truth of a statement or assertion;
contrary declaration; gainsaying.

His fair demands Shall be accomplished without
contradiction. --Shak.

2. Direct opposition or repugnancy; inconsistency;
incongruity or contrariety; one who, or that which, is
inconsistent.

can be make deathless death? That were to make
Strange contradiction. --Milton.

We state our experience and then we come to a manly
resolution of acting in contradiction to it.
--Burke.

Both parts of a contradiction can not possibly be
true. --Hobbes.

Of contradictions infinite the slave. --Wordsworth.

Principle of contradiction (Logic), the axiom or law of
thought that a thing cannot be and not be at the same
time, or a thing must either be or not be, or the same
attribute can not at the same time be affirmed and and
denied of the same subject.

Note: It develops itself in three specific forms which have
been called the ``Three Logical Axioms.'' First, ``A is
A.'' Second, ``A is not Not-A'' Third, ``Everything is
either A or Not-A.''

Synonyms: contradiction in terms

See Also: dialectic, false statement, falsehood, falsity, negation, oppositeness, opposition, paradox, untruth

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