negative

n. in linguistics, the form of a sentence used to make a negative assertion about something rather than an affirmative statement or a question (see interrogative). In modern English, negatives are nearly always formed using not or no and an auxiliary verb (usually be, have, or do). The structural relationship between positive and negative forms of a statement (e.g., between I went and I did not go) is of major interest in generative grammar and psycholinguistics.

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Psychology term of the day

November 21st 2024

feedback system

a circuit in which output information (e.g., biological, mechanical) is used to modulate the input to the same circuit. In a negative feedback system, the output is used to reduce the input; such systems play important roles in maintaining equilibrium of processes within organisms. See homeostasis; positive feedback.