positive

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   involving advantage or good

   a plus (or positive) factor

2. 2
   adj

   having a positive charge

   protons are positive

3. 3
   adj

   formally laid down or imposed

   positive laws

4. 4
   adj

   characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.

   a positive attitude

5. 5
   adj

   greater than zero

   positive numbers

6. 6
   adj

   reckoned, situated or tending in the direction which naturally or arbitrarily is taken to indicate increase or progress or onward motion

   positive increase in graduating students

7. 7
   adj

   indicating existence or presence of a suspected condition or pathogen

   a positive pregnancy test

8. 8
   adj

   Formally laid down.

   In laws, that which is natural bindeth universally; that which is positive, not so.

Etymology

From Old French positif, from Latin positivus, from the past participle stem of ponere (“to place”). Compare posit.