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Webster 1913 Edition


Positive

Pos′i-tive

,
Adj.
[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.
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.
Positive crystals
(Opt.)
,
a doubly refracting crystal in which the index of refraction for the extraordinary ray is greater than for the ordinary ray, and the former is refracted nearer to the axis than the latter, as quartz and ice; – opposed to negative crystal, or one in which this characteristic is reversed, as Iceland spar, tourmaline, etc.
Positive degree
(Gram.)
,
that state of an adjective or adverb which denotes simple quality, without comparison or relation to increase or diminution; as, wise, noble.
Positive electricity
(Elec)
,
the kind of electricity which is developed when glass is rubbed with silk, or which appears at that pole of a voltaic battery attached to the plate that is not attacked by the exciting liquid; – formerly called
vitreous electricity
; – opposed to
negative electricity
.
Positive eyepiece
.
See under
Eyepiece
.
Positive law
.
See
Municipal law
, under
Law
.
Positive motion
(Mach.)
,
motion which is derived from a driver through unyielding intermediate pieces, or by direct contact, and not through elastic connections, nor by means of friction, gravity, etc.; definite motion.
Positive philosophy
.
Positive pole
.
(a)
(Elec.)
The pole of a battery or pile which yields positive or vitreous electricity; – opposed to
negative pole
.
(b)
(Magnetism)
The north pole
.
[R.]
Positive quantity
(Alg.)
,
an affirmative quantity, or one affected by the sign plus [+].
Positive rotation
(Mech.)
,
left-handed rotation.
Positive sign
(Math.)
,
the sign [+] denoting plus, or more, or addition.

Pos′i-tive

,
Noun.
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 1828 Edition


Positive

POS'ITIVE

,
Adj.
[Low L. positivus.]
1.
Properly, set; laid down; expressed; direct; explicit; opposed to implied; as, he told us in positive words; we have his positive declaration to the fact; the testimony is positive.
2.
Absolute; express; not admitting any condition or discretion. The commands of the admiral are positive.
3.
Absolute; real; existing in fact; opposed to negative, as positive good, which exists by itself, whereas negative good is merely the absence of evil; or opposed to relative or arbitrary, as beauty is not a positive thing, but depends on the different tastes of people.
4.
Direct; express; opposed to circumstantial; as positive proof.
5.
Confident; fully assured; applied to persons. The witness is very positive that he is correct in his testimony.
6.
Dogmatic; over-confident in opinion or assertion.
Some positive persisting fops we know,
That, if once wrong, will needs be always so.
7.
Settled by arbitrary appointment; opposed to natural or inbred.
In laws, that which is natural, bindeth universally; that which is positive, not so.
Although no laws but positive are mutable, yet all are not mutable which are positive.
8.
Having power to act directly; as a positive voice in legislation.
Positive degree, in grammar, is the state of an adjective which denotes simple or absolute quality, without comparison or relation to increase or diminution; as wise, noble.
Positive electricity, according to Dr. Franklin, consists in a superabundance of the fluid in a substance. Others suppose it to consist in a tendency of the fluid outwards. It is not certain in what consists the difference between positive and negative electricity. Positive electricity being produced by rubbing glass, is called the vitreous; negative electricity, produced by rubbing amber or resin, is called the resinous.

POS'ITIVE

,
Noun.
What is capable of being affirmed; reality.
1.
That which settles by absolute appointment.
2.
In grammar, a word that affirms or asserts existence.

Definition 2024


positivé

positivé

See also: positive and Positive

French

Verb

positivé m (feminine singular positivée, masculine plural positivés, feminine plural positivées)

  1. past participle of positiver