- (a.) 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.
- (a.) 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.
- (a.) Designating or pertaining to, a device giving a to-and-fro motion; as, a positive dobby.
- (n.) That which settles by absolute appointment.
- (a.) Definitely laid down; explicitly stated; clearly expressed; -- opposed to implied; as, a positive declaration or promise.
- (a.) 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.
- (n.) The positive plate of a voltaic or electrolytic cell.
- (a.) Electro-positive.
- (n.) A picture in which the lights and shades correspond in position with those of the original, instead of being reversed, as in a negative.
- (n.) The positive degree or form.
- (a.) 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.
- (a.) Having the power of direct action or influence; as, a positive voice in legislation.
- (a.) Having a real position, existence or energy; existing in fact; real; actual; -- opposed to negative.
- (n.) That which is capable of being affirmed; reality.
- (a.) 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.
- (a.) Fully assured; confident; certain; sometimes, overconfident; dogmatic; overbearing; -- said of persons.
- (a.) Hence, basic; metallic; not acid; -- opposed to negative, and said of metals, bases, and basic radicals.
- (a.) Prescribed by express enactment or institution; settled by arbitrary appointment; said of laws.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
| APA | Webster's. (2011). positive. Retrieved September 23, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/positive/definitions/2047736 |
| Chicago | Webster's. 2011. "positive" http://smartdefine.org/positive/definitions/2047736 (accessed September 23, 2026). |
| Harvard | Webster's 2011, positive, Smart Define, viewed 23 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/positive/definitions/2047736>. |
| MLA | Webster's. "positive" 27 May 2011. Web. 23 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/positive/definitions/2047736> |