I. To deny a thing, to say it is not so (very rare): “datum denegant, quod datum est,” Plaut. Men. 4, 2, 12: “objecta,” Tac. A. 15, 57.—Far more freq. and class. (cf., on the contrary, abnego).—
II. To reject, refuse, deny a request, entreaty, etc. (for syn. cf.: nego, infitias eo, infitior, diffiteor, recuso, abnuo, renuo, detrecto).
(α).
With acc.: “si tibi denegem, quod me oras,” Plaut. Trin. 5, 2, 47: “cum id quod antea petenti denegasset, ultro polliceretur,” Caes. B. G. 1, 42; cf. id. B. C. 1, 32, 6: “auxilia,” Hirt. B. G. 8, 45: “praemium dignitatis, quod populus Romanus, cum hujus majoribus semper detulisset, huic denegaret,” Cic. Fl. 1; Cic. Verr. 2, 5, 14; cf. id. Phil. 11, 8, 19: “sperata gaudia Nymphae Denegat,” Ov. M. 4, 369 et saep.; “with ellipsis of object: duo rogavi te: ne deneges mihi,” Vulg. Prov. 30, 7.—Poet. of subjects not personal: “undas amnis, afflatus ventus,” Ov. Ib. 107 sq.: “oratorium ingenium alicui,” Tac. Or. 10.—
(β).
With inf. or acc. and inf. (poet.): “denegavit, se dare granum tritici,” Plaut. Stitch. 4, 1, 52; Ter. And. 1, 5, 6; Prop. 2, 24, 28 (3, 19, 12 M.): “dare denegaris,” Ter. Heaut. 3, 1, 78; Hor. Od. 3, 16, 38.—
(δ).
With se, to deny one's self, i. e. subject his own will to another's (eccl. Lat.), Vulg. Marc. 8, 34.