positive

positive [päz′ə tiv]

adj.

[ME positif < OFr < L positivus < positus: see POSITION]

1. formally or arbitrarily set; conventional; artificial [a positive law]

2. definitely set; explicitly laid down; admitting of no question or modification; express; precise; specific [positive instructions]

3.

a) having the mind set or settled; confident; assured [a positive person]

b) overconfident or dogmatic

4. showing resolution or agreement; affirmative; certain [a positive answer]

5. tending in the direction regarded as that of increase, progress, etc. [clockwise motion is positive]

6. making a definite contribution; constructive [positive criticism]

7. unrelated to anything else; independent of circumstances; absolute; unqualified

8. that has, or is considered as having, real existence in itself, not just in the absence of other attributes [a positive good]

9. based, or asserted as based, on reality or facts [positive proof]

10. concerned only with real things and experience; empirical; practical

11. Informal complete; absolute; out-and-out [a positive fool]

12. Biol. directed toward the source of a stimulus [positive tropism ]

☆ 13. Elec.

a) of, generating, or charged with positive electricity

b) having a deficiency of electrons

14. Gram.

a) of an adjective or adverb in its simple, uninflected or unmodified form or degree; neither comparative nor superlative

b) of this degree

15. Math. designating a quantity greater than zero, or one to be added; plus

16. Med. having or demonstrating, showing, or proving the presence or existence of a condition, an infection, symptoms, bacteria, etc. [a patient who is positive for TB, a positive TB test]

17. Photog. with the light and shade corresponding to those of the subject

n.

something positive, as a degree, quality, condition, etc.; specif.,

a) Elec. a terminal, electrode, or plate that attracts a flow of electrons from a negative terminal, electrode, or plate, as in a storage battery or dry cell

b) Gram. the positive degree; also, a word or form in this degree

c) Math. a quantity greater than zero, or one to be added; plus quantity

d) Photog. a photographic print, or a film for use in a projector, on which light and shadow correspond to what they were in the subject

SYN.- SURE

positively

adv.

positiveness

n.