Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Contradiction?

\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.''