[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

positive \pos"itive\, a. oe. positif, f. positif, l.
   positivus. see position.
   1. having a real position, existence, or energy; existing in
      fact; real; actual; -- opposed to negative. "positive
      good." --bacon.
      1913 webster

   2. 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.
      1913 webster

   3. definitely laid down; explicitly stated; clearly
      expressed; -- opposed to implied; as, a positive
      declaration or promise.
      1913 webster

            positive words, that he would not bear arms against
            king edward's son.                    --bacon.
      1913 webster

   4. 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. "'t is positive 'gainst all exceptions."
      --shak.
      1913 webster

   5. prescribed by express enactment or institution; settled by
      arbitrary appointment; said of laws.
      1913 webster

            in laws, that which is natural bindeth universally;
            that which is positive, not so.       --hooker.
      1913 webster

   6. fully assured; confident; certain; sometimes,
      overconfident; dogmatic; overbearing; -- said of persons.
      1913 webster

            some positive, persisting fops we know,
            that, if once wrong, will needs be always. --pope.
      1913 webster

   7. having the power of direct action or influence; as, a
      positive voice in legislation. --swift.
      1913 webster

   8. photog. 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.
      1913 webster

   9. chem.
      a electro-positive.
      b hence, basic; metallic; not acid; -- opposed to
          negative, and said of metals, bases, and basic
          radicals.
          1913 webster

   10. mach.  mech.
       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.
       b designating, or pertaining to, a device giving a
           to-and-fro motion; as, a positive dobby.
           webster 1913 suppl.

   11. vehicles 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.
       webster 1913 suppl.

   positive crystals opt., a doubly refracting crystal in
      which the index of refraction for the extraordinary ray is
      greater than for the ordinary ray, and the former is
      refracted nearer to the axis than the latter, as quartz
      and ice; -- opposed to negative crystal, or one in which
      this characteristic is reversed, as iceland spar,
      tourmaline, etc.

   positive degree gram., that state of an adjective or
      adverb which denotes simple quality, without comparison or
      relation to increase or diminution; as, wise, noble.

   positive electricity elec, the kind of electricity which
      is developed when glass is rubbed with silk, or which
      appears at that pole of a voltaic battery attached to the
      plate that is not attacked by the exciting liquid; --
      formerly called vitreous electricity; -- opposed to
      negative electricity.

   positive eyepiece. see under eyepiece.

   positive law. see municipal law, under law.

   positive motion mach., motion which is derived from a
      driver through unyielding intermediate pieces, or by
      direct contact, and not through elastic connections, nor
      by means of friction, gravity, etc.; definite motion.

   positive philosophy. see positivism.

   positive pole.
       a elec. the pole of a battery or pile which yields
           positive or vitreous electricity; -- opposed to
           negative pole.
       b magnetism the north pole. r.

   positive quantity alg., an affirmative quantity, or one
      affected by the sign plus +.

   positive rotation mech., left-handed rotation.

   positive sign math., the sign + denoting plus, or more,
      or addition.
      1913 webster
see also:
position negative positive crystals positive degree positive electricity vitreous electricity 
negative electricity positive eyepiece eyepiece positive law municipal law 
law positive motion positive philosophy positivism positive pole 
negative pole positive quantity positive rotation positive sign 

Motion >> M Words
Motion, definition of term: Motion
motion_pag1.html

Positive >> P Words
Positive, definition of term: Positive
positive_pag1.html

Positive Charge >> P Words
Positive Charge, definition of term: Positive Charge
positive+charge_pag1.html

Positive Law >> P Words
Positive Law, definition of term: Positive Law
positive+law_pag1.html

Motion Picture >> M Words
Motion Picture, definition of term: Motion Picture
motion+picture_pag1.html

Motion Sickness >> M Words
Motion Sickness, definition of term: Motion Sickness
motion+sickness_pag1.html

Brownian Motion >> B Words
Brownian Motion, definition of term: Brownian Motion
brownian+motion_pag1.html

Law Of Motion >> L Words
Law Of Motion, definition of term: Law Of Motion
law+of+motion_pag1.html