meaning of positive
1. Having a real position, existence, or energy; existing in fact; real; actual; -- opposed to negative.
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.
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.
5. Prescribed by express enactment or institution; settled by arbitrary appointment; said of laws.
6. Fully assured; confident; certain; sometimes, overconfident; dogmatic; overbearing; -- said of persons.
7. Having the power of direct action or influence; as, a positive voice in legislation.
8. 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. Electro-positive.
10. Hence, basic; metallic; not acid; -- opposed to negative, and said of metals, bases, and basic radicals.
11. That which is capable of being affirmed; reality.
12. That which settles by absolute appointment.
13. The positive degree or form.
14. A picture in which the lights and shades correspond in position with those of the original, instead of being reversed, as in a negative.
15. The positive plate of a voltaic or electrolytic cell.
16. a film showing a photographic image whose tones correspond to those of the original subject
Related Words
positive | positive charge | positive chemotaxis | positive correlation | positive feedback | positive fraud | positive identification | positive magnetic pole | positive muon | positive pole | positive reinforcer | positive reinforcing stimulus | positive stimulus | positively | positively charged | positiveness |
