Past tense of 'deny,' meaning to refuse to give or allow something requested, or to state that something is not true. It can also mean to refuse to acknowledge or accept something.
From Old French denier, from Latin dēnegāre (dē- 'completely' + negāre 'to say no'). The word entered English in the 14th century through Norman French. The legal and formal usage strengthened during the development of court systems and bureaucratic procedures.
Denial is one of the most powerful psychological defense mechanisms, and the word 'denied' often carries more weight than a simple 'no' - it implies an official rejection or a deliberate refusal to acknowledge reality. In computer security, 'access denied' has become one of the most frustrating phrases in modern life, representing the digital equivalent of a locked door.
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