What is "to deny one's self"

Deny \De*ny"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Denied; p. pr. & vb. n. Denying.] [OE. denien, denaien, OF. denier, deneer, F. d['e]nier, fr. L. denegare; de- + negare to say no, deny. See Negation.]

1. To declare not to be true; to gainsay; to contradict; -- opposed to affirm, allow, or admit.

   Note: We deny what another says, or we deny the truth of an assertion, the force of it, or the assertion itself.

2. To refuse (to do something or to accept something); to reject; to decline; to renounce. [Obs.] ``If you deny to dance.''
   --Shak.

3. To refuse to grant; to withhold; to refuse to gratify or yield to; as, to deny a request.

   Who finds not Providence all good and wise, Alike in what it gives, and what denies?
   --Pope.

   To some men, it is more agreeable to deny a vicious inclination, than to gratify it.
   --J. Edwards.

4. To disclaim connection with, responsibility for, and the like; to refuse to acknowledge; to disown; to abjure; to disavow.

   The falsehood of denying his opinion.
   --Bancroft.

   Thou thrice denied, yet thrice beloved.
   --Keble.

   To deny one's self, to decline the gratification of appetites or desires; to practice self-denial.

   Let him deny himself, and take up his cross.
   --Matt. xvi. 24.