E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Propositions,
in logic, are of four kinds, called A, E, I, O. “A” is a universal affirmative, and “E” a universal negative; “I” a particular affirmative, and “O” a particular negative.
1
“Asserit A, negat E, verum generaliter ambo!
Asserit I, negat O, sed particulariter ambo.”
A asserts and E denies some universal proposition;
I asserts and O denies, but with particular precision.
