positive

positive
1. Affirmative; definite; not negative. 2. Denoting a response, the occurrence of a reaction, or the existence of the entity or condition in question. 3. Having a value greater than zero. [L. positivus, settled by arbitrary agreement, fr. pono, pp. positus, to set, place]

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pos·i·tive 'päz-ət-iv, 'päz-tiv adj
1) directed or moving toward a source of stimulation <a \positive taxis>
2) having rendition of light and shade similar in tone to the tones of the original <a \positive photographic image>
3 a ) (1) being, relating to, or charged with electricity of which the proton is the elementary unit and which predominates in a glass body after being rubbed with silk (2) having more protons than electrons <a \positive ion>
b ) (1) having higher electrical potential and constituting the part from which the current flows to the external circuit <the \positive terminal of a discharging storage battery> (2) being an electron-collecting electrode of an electron tube
4 a) marked by or indicating acceptance, approval, or affirmation
b) affirming the presence of that sought or suspected to be present <a \positive test for blood>
5) of a lens converging light rays and forming a real inverted image
pos·i·tive·ly -lē, for emphasis often .päz-ə-'tiv- adv
pos·i·tive·ness 'päz-ət-iv-nəs, 'päz-tiv- n
positive n
1) a positive photograph or a print from a negative
2) a positive result (as of a test) also a test yielding such a result

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pos·i·tive (pozґĭ-tiv) [L. positivus] 1. having a value greater than zero. 2. indicating existence or presence, as chromatin-positive. 3. characterized by affirmation or cooperation.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • positive — pos‧i‧tive [ˈpɒztɪv ǁ ˈpɑːz ] adjective 1. good or useful: • When interest rates fall, there is a positive effect on business confidence. • He felt that these meetings did not make any sort of positive contribution to branch performance. 2.… …   Financial and business terms

  • Positive — Pos i*tive, a. [OE. positif, F. positif, L. positivus. See {Position}.] 1. Having a real position, existence, or energy; existing in fact; real; actual; opposed to negative. Positive good. Bacon. [1913 Webster] 2. Derived from an object by… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Positive — is a property of positivity and may refer to: Mathematics and science * Positive number, a number that is greater than 0 * Positive operator, in functional analysis, a bounded linear operator whose spectrum consists of positive real numbers *… …   Wikipedia

  • 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;… …   English World dictionary

  • positive — I (confident) adjective assured, believing, certain, certus, convinced, decided, decisive, definite, determined, fully convinced, insistent, perfectly sure, persuaded, reassured, satisfied, secure, self assured, self confident, sure, trusting,… …   Law dictionary

  • Positive — Pos i*tive, n. 1. That which is capable of being affirmed; reality. South. [1913 Webster] 2. That which settles by absolute appointment. [1913 Webster] 3. (Gram.) The positive degree or form. [1913 Webster] 4. (Photog.) A picture in which the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • positive — c.1300, a legal term meaning formally laid down, from O.Fr. positif (13c.), from L. positivus settled by arbitrary agreement, positive (opposed to naturalis natural ), from positus, pp. of ponere put, place (see POSITION (Cf. position)). Sense… …   Etymology dictionary

  • positive — [adj1] definite, certain absolute, actual, affirmative, assured, categorical, clear, clearcut, cocksure*, cold*, complete, conclusive, concrete, confident, consummate, convinced, decided, decisive, direct, downright, explicit, express, factual,… …   New thesaurus

  • positive — ► ADJECTIVE 1) characterized by the presence rather than the absence of distinguishing features. 2) expressing or implying affirmation, agreement, or permission. 3) constructive, optimistic, or confident. 4) with no possibility of doubt; certain …   English terms dictionary

  • positive — 1 certain, *sure, cocksure Analogous words: *confident, assured, sanguine, sure: dogmatic, doctrinaire, oracular, *dictatorial Antonyms: doubtful 2 *affirmative Antonyms: negative …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • positive — pos|i|tive1 W2S2 [ˈpɔzıtıv US ˈpa: ] adj ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(attitude)¦ 2¦(good thing)¦ 3¦(action)¦ 4¦(support)¦ 5¦(sure)¦ 6¦(sign)¦ 7¦(proof)¦ 8¦(scientific test)¦ 9¦(emphasis)¦ 10¦(number)¦ …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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