positive Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the primary form of an adjective or adverb; denotes a quality without qualification, comparison, or relation to increase or diminution
    positive degree.
  2. noun a film showing a photographic image whose tones correspond to those of the original subject
  3. adjective characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.
    • a positive attitude
    • the reviews were all positive
    • a positive benefit
    • a positive demand
  4. adjective satellite persuaded of; very sure
    convinced; confident.
    • were convinced that it would be to their advantage to join
    • I am positive he is lying
    • was confident he would win
  5. adjective satellite involving advantage or good
    plus.
    • a plus (or positive) factor
  6. adjective indicating existence or presence of a suspected condition or pathogen
    confirming.
    • a positive pregnancy test
  7. adjective satellite formally laid down or imposed
    prescribed.
    • positive laws
  8. adjective satellite impossible to deny or disprove
    incontrovertible; irrefutable.
    • incontrovertible proof of the defendant's innocence
    • proof positive
    • an irrefutable argument
  9. adjective of or relating to positivism
    positivist; positivistic.
    • positivist thinkers
    • positivist doctrine
    • positive philosophy
  10. adjective reckoned, situated or tending in the direction which naturally or arbitrarily is taken to indicate increase or progress or onward motion
    • positive increase in graduating students
  11. adjective satellite greater than zero
    • positive numbers
  12. adjective satellite having a positive charge
    electropositive; positively charged.
    • protons are positive
  13. adjective satellite marked by excessive confidence
    overconfident; cocksure.
    • an arrogant and cocksure materialist
    • so overconfident and impudent as to speak to the queen
    • the less he knows the more positive he gets

WordNet

Pos"i*tive adjective
Etymology
OE. positif, F. positif, L. positivus. See Position.
Definitions
  1. Having a real position, existence, or energy; existing in fact; real; actual; -- opposed to negative. "Positive good." Bacon.
  2. Derived from an object by itself; not dependent on changing circumstances or relations; absolute; -- opposed to relative; as, the idea of beauty is not positive, but depends on the different tastes individuals.
  3. Definitely laid down; explicitly stated; clearly expressed; -- opposed to implied; as, a positive declaration or promise.
    Positive words, that he would not bear arms against King Edward's son. Bacon.
  4. Hence: Not admitting of any doubt, condition, qualification, or discretion; not dependent on circumstances or probabilities; not speculative; compelling assent or obedience; peremptory; indisputable; decisive; as, positive instructions; positive truth; positive proof. "'T is positive 'gainst all exceptions." Shak.
  5. Prescribed by express enactment or institution; settled by arbitrary appointment; said of laws.
    In laws, that which is natural bindeth universally; that which is positive, not so. Hooker.
  6. Fully assured; confident; certain; sometimes, overconfident; dogmatic; overbearing; -- said of persons.
    Some positive, persisting fops we know, That, if once wrong, will needs be always. Pope.
  7. Having the power of direct action or influence; as, a positive voice in legislation. Swift.
  8. (Photog.) Corresponding with the original in respect to the position of lights and shades, instead of having the lights and shades reversed; as, a positive picture.
  9. (Chem.) (a) Electro-positive. (b) Hence, basic; metallic; not acid; -- opposed to negative, and said of metals, bases, and basic radicals.
Pos"i*tive noun
Definitions
  1. That which is capable of being affirmed; reality. South.
  2. That which settles by absolute appointment.
  3. (Gram.) The positive degree or form.
  4. (Photog.) A picture in which the lights and shades correspond in position with those of the original, instead of being reversed, as in a negative. R. Hunt.
  5. (Elec.) The positive plate of a voltaic or electrolytic cell.

Webster 1913