Negative demonstration

Negative demonstration
Demonstration Dem`on*stra"tion, n. [L. demonstratio: cf. F. d['e]monstration.] 1. The act of demonstrating; an exhibition; proof; especially, proof beyond the possibility of doubt; indubitable evidence, to the senses or reason. [1913 Webster]

Those intervening ideas which serve to show the agreement of any two others are called ``proofs;'' and where agreement or disagreement is by this means plainly and clearly perceived, it is called demonstration. --Locke. [1913 Webster]

2. An expression, as of the feelings, by outward signs; a manifestation; a show. See also sense 7 for a more specific related meaning. [1913 Webster +PJC]

Did your letters pierce the queen to any demonstration of grief? --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Loyal demonstrations toward the prince. --Prescott. [1913 Webster]

3. (Anat.) The exhibition and explanation of a dissection or other anatomical preparation. [1913 Webster]

4. (Mil.) a decisive exhibition of force, or a movement indicating an attack. [1913 Webster]

5. (Logic) The act of proving by the syllogistic process, or the proof itself. [1913 Webster]

6. (Math.) A course of reasoning showing that a certain result is a necessary consequence of assumed premises; -- these premises being definitions, axioms, and previously established propositions. [1913 Webster]

7. a public gathering of people to express some sentiment or feelings by explicit means, such as picketing, parading, carrying signs or shouting, usually in favor of or opposed to some action of government or of a business. [PJC]

8. the act of showing how a certain device, machine or product operates, or how a procedure is performed; -- usually done for the purpose of inducing prospective customers to buy a product; as, a demonstration of the simple operation of a microwave oven. [PJC]

{Direct demonstration}, or {Positive demonstration}, (Logic & Math.), one in which the correct conclusion is the immediate sequence of reasoning from axiomatic or established premises; -- opposed to

{Indirect demonstration}, or {Negative demonstration} (called also {reductio ad absurdum}), in which the correct conclusion is an inference from the demonstration that any other hypothesis must be incorrect. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Demonstration — Dem on*stra tion, n. [L. demonstratio: cf. F. d[ e]monstration.] 1. The act of demonstrating; an exhibition; proof; especially, proof beyond the possibility of doubt; indubitable evidence, to the senses or reason. [1913 Webster] Those intervening …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Negative — Neg a*tive (n[e^]g [.a]*t[i^]v), a. [F. n[ e]gatif, L. negativus, fr. negare to deny. See {Negation}.] 1. Denying; implying, containing, or asserting denial, negation or refusal; returning the answer no to an inquiry or request; refusing assent;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Negative crystal — Negative Neg a*tive (n[e^]g [.a]*t[i^]v), a. [F. n[ e]gatif, L. negativus, fr. negare to deny. See {Negation}.] 1. Denying; implying, containing, or asserting denial, negation or refusal; returning the answer no to an inquiry or request; refusing …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • negative electricity — Negative Neg a*tive (n[e^]g [.a]*t[i^]v), a. [F. n[ e]gatif, L. negativus, fr. negare to deny. See {Negation}.] 1. Denying; implying, containing, or asserting denial, negation or refusal; returning the answer no to an inquiry or request; refusing …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Negative eyepiece — Negative Neg a*tive (n[e^]g [.a]*t[i^]v), a. [F. n[ e]gatif, L. negativus, fr. negare to deny. See {Negation}.] 1. Denying; implying, containing, or asserting denial, negation or refusal; returning the answer no to an inquiry or request; refusing …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Negative quantity — Negative Neg a*tive (n[e^]g [.a]*t[i^]v), a. [F. n[ e]gatif, L. negativus, fr. negare to deny. See {Negation}.] 1. Denying; implying, containing, or asserting denial, negation or refusal; returning the answer no to an inquiry or request; refusing …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Negative rotation — Negative Neg a*tive (n[e^]g [.a]*t[i^]v), a. [F. n[ e]gatif, L. negativus, fr. negare to deny. See {Negation}.] 1. Denying; implying, containing, or asserting denial, negation or refusal; returning the answer no to an inquiry or request; refusing …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Negative sign — Negative Neg a*tive (n[e^]g [.a]*t[i^]v), a. [F. n[ e]gatif, L. negativus, fr. negare to deny. See {Negation}.] 1. Denying; implying, containing, or asserting denial, negation or refusal; returning the answer no to an inquiry or request; refusing …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Negative index metamaterials — A negative index metamaterial causes light to refract, or bend, differently than in more common positive refractive index materials. Negative index metamaterials or negative index materials (NIM) are artificial structures where the refractive… …   Wikipedia

  • Démonstration par l'absurde — Raisonnement par l absurde Voir « apagogie » sur le Wiktionnaire …   Wikipédia en Français

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