A negative proposition that is qualified in some way, so as to entail special logical treatment; (Law ) = negative pregnant.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Putnam's Monthly Magazine. After post-classical Latin propositio categorica negativa praegnans in Paulus Nicolettus Venetus, cited in C. PrantlGeschichte der Logik im Abendlande IV. 129, note 545; for Latin legal use see negative pregnant.