Partial Negation

[vsting]

I understand in English when we say "Both windows are not open.", we mean: "Not both of the windows are open. Probably one is open, the other is closed. " Am I right?

If so, how about: "Everybody doesn't like the book." Does that also mean: "Not everybody likes the book. Some do and some don't."?

Is there a grammatical term called partial negation existing in English grammar?

[english grammar man]

"Both windows are not open."

Your assumption is correct however, with the meaning being both windows are not open.
=> More natural would be to say "Neither window is open."

If so, how about: "Everybody doesn't like the book." Does that also mean: "Not everybody likes the book. Some do and some don't."?

Correct. But you are making your sentences very confusing. Your sentence is negative, so should start with a negative word not positive word. Positive is "everybody". Negative is "doesn't like". Best would be to say "Nobody likes the book".

PARTIAL NEGATION negates a quantifier and TOTAL NEGATION does not negate a quantifier.

If you need more clarification, it's best explained at http://www.aymara.org/biblio/igr/igr4.html

[Dr_Jerry_Hess]

Methinks Vsting meant: Only one of the two window is open!

[Dr_Jerry_Hess]

Correction: windows

[papakofi]

Hi,if my brains serves me wright i will like to break it down for a clear understanding.The windows are two (pair) and one has been opened so i will prefere saying one side of the window has been opened.