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’
- 1.1 Expressing or implying affirmation, agreement, or permission.
- 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’
- 2.1 Showing progress or improvement.
- 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)
- 3.1 Convinced in one’s opinion; certain.
- 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.
Positive definition, Lexico powered by Oxford Dictionary.
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La valenza positiva del negativo ha travalicato quest’anno la filosofia per entrare nel linguaggio e nel sentire comune. In bocca al lupo!