POSITIVER
Adjective
positiver
(nonstandard) comparative form of positive
Anagrams
• viritopes
Source: Wiktionary
POSITIVE
Pos"i*tive, a. Etym: [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.
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.
3. Definitely laid down; explicitly stated; clearly expressed; --
opposed to implied; as, a positive declaration or promise.
Positive words, that he would not bear arms against King Edward's
son. Bacon.
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.
5. Prescribed by express enactment or institution; settled by
arbitrary appointment; said of laws.
In laws, that which is natural bindeth universally; that which is
positive, not so. Hooker.
6. Fully assured; confident; certain; sometimes, overconfident;
dogmatic; overbearing; -- said of persons.
Some positive, persisting fops we know, That, if once wrong, will
needs be always. Pope.
7. Having the power of direct action or influence; as, a positive
voice in legislation. Swift.
8. (Photog.)
Definition: 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.
9. (Chem.)
(a) Electro-positive.
(b) Hence, basic; metallic; not acid; -- opposed to negative, and
said of metals, bases, and basic radicals. 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 Ant: 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 Ant: 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.
Pos"i*tive, n.
1. That which is capable of being affirmed; reality. South.
2. That which settles by absolute appointment.
3. (Gram.)
Definition: The positive degree or form.
4. (Photog.)
Definition: A picture in which the lights and shades correspond in position
with those of the original, instead of being reversed, as in a
negative. R. Hunt.
5. (Elec.)
Definition: The positive plate of a voltaic or electrolytic cell.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition