categorical denial

categorical denial 復習

先日から取り上げられている天皇陛下の生前退位についての記事からです。

Japanese Emperor Akihito 'wishes to abdicate'

The 82-year-old, who has had health problems in recent years, reportedly does not wish to remain emperor if he has to reduce his official duties.
But a palace spokesman denied that there is any official plan for the monarch to abdicate in what would be an unprecedented move in modern Japan.
Crown Prince Naruhito, 56, is next in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne.
An unnamed government source told Japan's Kyodo news agency that the emperor, who plays a largely ceremonial role but is respected deeply by many Japanese, has been contemplating the move for about a year.

His family had accepted his decision, an unnamed palace source told NHK.
However, both palace and government sources say the Imperial Household Law would have to revised to allow for the abdication to take place.
A change to the Imperial Household Law, which stipulates the rules of succession, would require approval by Japan's parliament.
Despite a categorical denial of the reports by imperial palace spokesman Shinichiro Yamamoto, the emperor's reported wishes are being given prominent attention in the Japanese media.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36784045

今回取り上げるのは、"categorical denial"です。
名詞の"category"には、日本語でも「カテゴリー」とあるように、「範疇、種類、区分、部門」といった意味があります。
形容詞の"categorical"は、『ジーニアス英和辞典』第4版(大修館)で調べてみると、1.「断言的な、全面的な、無条件の」2.「分類別の、範疇」とありました。
ここでは、「否定」という意味の"denial"が付いてるので、「全面否定、きっぱりと否定」となるかと思います。因みに、"categorical refusal"で、「全面的拒否」になります。(Akim)

全面的に否定する - 田邉祐司ゼミ 常時英心：言葉の森から
categorically deny - 田邉祐司ゼミ 常時英心：言葉の森から
categorical#3 - 田邉祐司ゼミ 常時英心：言葉の森から