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.