In a negative manner; so as to be damaging or not positive.
1722, Daniel Defoe, Moll Flanders, London: J. Cooke, 1765, p. 17,
At last one of them asked me what a Gentlewoman was? that puzzled me much; but however, I explained myself negatively; that it was one that did not go to Service to do Housework […]
(responding to a question, proposal, vote, etc.) In the negative; with the answer “no.”
1683, Richard Browne (translator), The Cure of Old Age and Preservation of Youth by Roger Bacon, London: Tho. Flesher, Doubt VII, p. 83,
I answer negatively:
1983, Reuters, “Iran rebuffs Iraq on sparing civilians,” New York Times, 27 May, 1983,
Iran responded negatively today to a proposal by Iraq that the two countries agree to stop shelling each other’s towns and villages.