positive
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
From Old (and modern) French positif, or Latin positivus, from the past participle stem of ponere (“to place”). Compare posit.
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Adjective
positive (comparative more positive, superlative most positive)
- (law) Formally laid down. [from the 14th c.]
- Stated definitively and without qualification. [from the 16th c.]
- Francis Bacon:
- Positive words, that he would not bear arms against King Edward’s son.
- Francis Bacon:
- Fully assured in opinion. [from the 17th c.]
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- I’m absolutely positive you've spelt that wrong.
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- (mathematics) Of number, greater than zero. [from the 18th c.]
- Characterized by constructiveness or influence for the better.
- Jonathan Swift:
- a positive voice in legislation.
- Jonathan Swift:
- Overconfident, dogmatic.
- Alexander Pope:
- Some positive, persisting fops we know, That, if once wrong, will needs be always so.
- Alexander Pope:
- (chiefly philosophy) Actual, real, concrete, not theoretical or speculative.
- Francis Bacon:
- Positive good.
- Francis Bacon:
- (physics) Having more protons than electrons.
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- A cation is a positive ion as it has more protons than electrons.
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- (grammar) Describing the primary sense of an adjective or adverb; not comparative or superlative.
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- ‘Better’ is an irregular comparative of the positive form ‘good’.
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- Derived from an object by itself; not dependent on changing circumstances or relations; absolute.
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- The idea of beauty is not positive, but depends on the different tastes of individuals.
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- Characterized by the existence or presence of distinguishing qualities or features, rather than by their absence.
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- The box was not empty – I felt some positive substance within it.
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- Characterized by the presence of features which support a hypothesis.
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- The results of our experiment are positive.
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- (photography) Of a visual image, true to the original in light, shade and colour values.
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- A positive photograph can be developed from a photographic negative.
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- Favorable, desirable by those interested or invested in that which is being judged.
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- The first-night reviews were largely positive.
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- Wholly what is expressed; colloquially downright, entire, outright.
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- Good lord, you've built up a positive arsenal of weaponry here.
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- Optimistic. [from the 20th c.]
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- He has a positive outlook on life.
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- (slang) HIV positive.
[edit] Synonyms
[edit] Antonyms
- (physics): negative
- (mathematics): nonpositive
- (doubtful): uncertain, unsure
[edit] Derived terms
- positive crystal
- positive degree
- positive electricity
- positive eyepiece
- positive law
- positive motion
- positive philosophy
- positive pole
- positive quantity
- positive rotation
- positive sign
- positive contribution
[edit] Translations
definitely laid down
grammar: describing the primary sense of an adjective or adverb
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derived from an object by itself; absolute
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downright, entire, outright
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characterised by the existence of qualities or features
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characterised by features which support a hypothesis
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characterised by affirmation and constructiveness
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philosophy: actual, real, concrete
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photography: of a visual image true to the original
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mathematics: greater than zero
physics: having more protons than electrons
slang: HIV positive
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[edit] Noun
positive (plural positives)
- A thing capable of being affirmed; something real or actual.
- A favourable point or characteristic.
- Something having a positive value in physics, such as an electric charge.
- (grammar) An adjective or adverb in the positive degree.
- (photography) A positive image; one that displays true colors and shades, as opposed to a negative.
[edit] Translations
thing having a positive value
adjective or adverb in the positive degree
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photography: a positive image
- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.
[edit] French
[edit] Adjective
positive f.
- feminine form of positif
[edit] Verb
positive
- first-person singular present indicative of positiver
- third-person singular present indicative of positiver
- first-person singular present subjunctive of positiver
- third-person singular present subjunctive of positiver
- second-person singular imperative of positiver
[edit] Italian
[edit] Adjective
positive f. pl.
- feminine plural form of positivo
[edit] Anagrams
[edit] Latin
[edit] Adjective
positīve
- vocative masculine singular of positīvus
[edit] Swedish
[edit] Adjective
positive
- absolute definite natural masculine form of positiv.
