\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.''