Positive, adjective

• 1. Consisting in or characterized by the presence rather than the absence of distinguishing features.
  ‘Mitomycin C and cyclophosphamide were used as positive controls in the absence and presence of S9, respectively.’
  • 1.1 Expressing or implying affirmation, agreement, or permission.
    ‘the company received a positive response from investors’
  • 1.2 (of the results of a test or experiment) indicating that a certain substance or condition is present or exists.
    ‘the positive results of a pregnancy test’
  • 1.3 (of a person) having a specified condition, or showing traces of a specified substance in their body.
    ‘a player had tested positive for cocaine use’
• 2. Constructive, optimistic, or confident.
  ‘there needs to be a positive approach to young offenders’
  • 2.1 Showing progress or improvement.
    ‘the prospects for positive growth in the economy do not look good’

• 3. With no possibility of doubt; definite.
  ‘he made a positive identification of a glossy ibis’
  • 3.1 Convinced in one’s opinion; certain.
    ‘‘You are sure it was the same man?’ ‘Positive!’ said George’
  • 3.2 informal attributive Downright; complete (used for emphasis)
• 4. (of a quantity) greater than zero.
  ‘He defines limits of positive variable quantities using ideas that he had used in looking at limits of series.’
• 5. Containing, producing, or denoting an electric charge opposite to that carried by electrons.
  ‘each battery has a positive and negative terminal’
• 6. (of a photographic image) showing lights and shades or colours true to the original.
  ‘This kind of photograph is a unique positive picture produced on a thin sheet of iron blackened by tar.’

• 7. Grammar
  Denoting the primary degree of an adjective or adverb, which expresses simple quality without qualification.
  Contrasted with comparative and superlative
• 8. Philosophy
  Dealing only with matters of fact and experience; not speculative or theoretical.
  Compare with positivism (sense 1)
  ‘In other words, it attempts to form a positive conception of noumena.’
• 9. Astrology
  Relating to or denoting any of the air or fire signs, considered active in nature.