deny
⇄
deny, transitive verb, -nied,-nying.
1. to say (something) is not true.
Ex. The prisoner denies the charges against him. The mayor denied the existence of slums in the city.
2. to say that one does not hold to or accept (a belief).
deny
⇄
expr. deny oneself to, to refuse to see.
Ex. Illness forced Mrs. Smith to deny herself to all callers.
deny
⇄
expr. deny oneself, to do without the things one wants.
Ex. A person who diets to lose weight has to deny himself candy, cake, and other rich foods. Mothers frequently deny themselves so that their children may have more.