Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Position
Po-si′tion
,Noun.
[F. , , ]
position
, L. positio
, fr. ponere
, positum
, to put, place; prob. for posino
, fr. an old preposition used only in comp. (akin to Gr. [GREEK]) + sinere
to leave, let, permit, place. See Site
, and cf. Composite
, Compound
, Verb.
Depone
, Deposit
, Expound
, Impostor
, Opposite
, Propound
, Pose
, Verb.
Posit
, Post
, Noun.
1.
The state of being posited, or placed; the manner in which anything is placed; attitude; condition;
as, a firm, an inclined, or an upright
. position
We have different prospects of the same thing, according to our different
positions
to it. Locke.
2.
The spot where a person or thing is placed or takes a place; site; place; station; situation;
as, the
position
of man in creation; the fleet changed its position
.3.
Hence: The ground which any one takes in an argument or controversy; the point of view from which any one proceeds to a discussion; also, a principle laid down as the basis of reasoning; a proposition; a thesis;
as, to define one’s
position
; to appear in a false position
.Let not the proof of any
position
depend on the positions
that follow, but always on those which go before. I. Watts.
4.
Relative place or standing; social or official rank;
as, a person of
; hence, office; post; position
as, to lose one's
. position
5.
(Arith.)
A method of solving a problem by one or two suppositions; – called also the
rule of trial and error
. Angle of position
(Astron.)
, the angle which any line (as that joining two stars) makes with another fixed line, specifically with a circle of declination.
– Double position
(Arith.)
, the method of solving problems by proceeding with each of two assumed numbers, according to the conditions of the problem, and by comparing the difference of the results with those of the numbers, deducing the correction to be applied to one of them to obtain the true result.
– Guns of position
(Mil.)
, heavy fieldpieces, not designed for quick movements.
– Position finder
(Mil.)
, a range finder. See under
– Range
. Position micrometer
, a micrometer applied to the tube of an astronomical telescope for measuring angles of position in the field of view.
– Single position
(Arith.)
, the method of solving problems, in which the result obtained by operating with an assumed number is to the true result as the number assumed is to the number required.
– Strategic position
(Mil.)
, a position taken up by an army or a large detachment of troops for the purpose of checking or observing an opposing force.
Syn. – Situation; station; place; condition; attitude; posture; proposition; assertion; thesis.
Po-si′tion
,Verb.
T.
To indicate the position of; to place.
[R.]
Encyc. Brit.
Webster 1828 Edition
Position
POSI'TION
,Noun.
1.
State of being placed; situation; often with reference to other objects, or to different parts of the same object. We have different prospects of the same thing according to our different positions to it.
2.
Manner of standing or being placed; attitude; as an inclining position.3.
Principle laid down; proposition advanced or affirmed as a fixed principle, or stated as the ground of reasoning, or to be proved. Let not the proof of any position depend on the positions that follow, but always on those which precede.
4.
The advancement of any principle.5.
State; condition. Great Britain, at the peace of 1763, stood in a position to prescribe her own terms.
6.
In grammar, the state of a vowel placed between two consonants, as in pompous, or before a double consonant, as in axle. In prosody, vowels are said to be long or short by position.