positive
Cross references:
1. sure
1. pos.i.tive \'pa:z-*t-iv, 'pa:z-tiv\ aj [ME, fr. LF positif, fr. L
positivus, fr. positus] 1a: formally laid down or imposed : PRESCRIBED {~
laws} 1b: expressed clearly or peremptorily 1c1: fully assured :
CONFIDENT 1c2: SELF-ASSURED, ARROGANT 2a: of, relating to, or
constituting the degree of comparison that is expr essed in English by the
unmodified and uninflected form of an adjective or adverb and denotes no
increase or diminution 2b1: independent of changing circumstances :
UNCONDITIONED 2b2: relating to or constituting a motion or device that is
definite, unyi elding, constant, or certain in its action {~ system of
levers} 2c: INCONTESTABLE {~ proof} : UNQUALIFIED {a @ disgrace} 3a: not
fictitious : REAL 3b: active and effective in social or economic function
rather than merely maintaining peace and order {~ government} 4a: having
or expressing actual existence or quality as distinguished from
deprivation or deficiency {~ change in temperature} : as 4a1: logically
affirmative {~ instance} 4a2: not speculative : EMPIRICAL 4b: having
rendition of light and shade similar in tone to the tones of th e original
subject {a ~ photographic image} 4c: that is or is generated in a direction
arbitrarily or customarily take n as that of increase or progression {~
rotation of the earth ~ angles} 4d: real and numerically greater than zero
{[~] is a ~ i nteger} 5a1: being, relating to, or charged with electricity
of a kind of which th e proton possesses an elementary unit and which
predominates in a glass body after being rubbed with silk 5a2: losing
electrons : ELECTROPOSITIVE, BASIC 5b1: having higher electric potential
and constituting the part from which the current flows to the external
circuit {the ~ terminal of a discharging storage battery} 5b2: being an
electron-collecting electrode of an electron tube 6a: marked by or
indicating agreement or affirmation {a ~ response } 6b: affirming the
presence of that sought or suspected to be present {R@ test for blood} -
pos.i.tive.ly av
2. positive n : something positive : as : the positive degree of
comparison in a language : a positive form of an adjective or adverb :
something of which an affirmation can be made : REALITY : a positive
photograph or a print from a negative