adj.
- consisting in or characterized by the presence rather than the absence of something.
▸expressing or implying affirmation, agreement, or permission.
▸
[
often in combination]
having a specified substance or condition:
HIV-positive.
- constructive, optimistic, or confident.
- with no possibility of doubt; certain.
- (of a quantity) greater than zero.
- containing, producing, or denoting the kind of electric charge opposite to that carried by electrons.
- (of a photographic image) showing light and shade or colours true to the original.
- Grammar (of an adjective or adverb) expressing a quality in its basic, primary degree. Contrasted with comparative and superlative.
- chiefly Philosophy dealing only with matters of fact and experience. See also positivism (sense 1).
n.
- a desirable quality or attribute.
- a positive photographic image, especially one printed from a negative.
Derivative
- positiveness n.
- positivity n.
Etymology
ME (orig. referring to laws as being formally ‘laid down’): from OFr. positif, -ive or L. positivus, from posit-, ponere ‘place’.