·adj Electro-positive.
II. Positive ·noun The positive degree or form.
III. Positive ·noun That which settles by absolute appointment.
IV. Positive ·noun That which is capable of being affirmed; reality.
V. Positive ·noun The positive plate of a voltaic or electrolytic cell.
VI. Positive ·adj Having the power of direct action or influence; as, a positive voice in legislation.
VII. Positive ·adj Prescribed by express enactment or institution; settled by arbitrary appointment; said of laws.
VIII. Positive ·adj Having a real position, existence, or energy; existing in fact; real; actual;
— opposed to negative.
IX. Positive ·adj Fully assured; confident; certain; sometimes, overconfident; dogmatic; overbearing;
— said of persons.
X. Positive ·adj Hence, basic; metallic; not acid;
— opposed to negative, and said of metals, bases, and basic radicals.
XI. Positive ·add. ·adj Designating, or pertaining to, a device giving a to-and-fro motion; as, a positive dobby.
XII. Positive ·adj Definitely laid down; explicitly stated; clearly expressed;
— opposed to implied; as, a positive declaration or promise.
XIII. Positive ·noun A picture in which the lights and shades correspond in position with those of the original, instead of being reversed, as in a negative.
XIV. Positive ·adj 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.
XV. Positive ·add. ·adj Designating a method of steering or turning in which the steering wheels move so that they describe concentric arcs in making a turn, to insure freedom from side slip or harmful resistance.
XVI. Positive ·adj 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.
XVII. Positive ·adj 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.
XVIII. Positive ·add. ·adj Designating, or pertaining to, a motion or device in which the movement derived from a driver, or the grip or hold of a restraining piece, is communicated through an unyielding intermediate piece or pieces; as, a claw clutch is a positive clutch, while a friction clutch is not.