Positive

a. [Lat. positivus, It. & Sp. positivo, Pr. positiu, Fr. positif. See supra.]

1. Having a real position, existence, or energy; 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 of individuals.

Whatever doth or can exist, or be considered as one thing, is positive. Locke.

3. Definitely laid down; explicitly stated; clearly expressed; — opposed to implied; as, a positive declaration or promise. “As for positive words that he would not bear arms against King Edward’s son.” Bacon.
4. Not admitting of any doubt, condition, qualification, or discretion; compelling assent or obedience; not dependent on circumstantial or probable evidence; indisputable; decisive; — opposed to ambiguous or circumstantial; as, positive commands; positive proof.

’Tis positive ’gainst all exception. Shak.

5. Prescribed by express enactment or institution; settled by arbitrary appointment; — said of laws, and opposed to those founded on the nature and relations of things.
6. Fully assured; confident; certain; sometimes, dogmatic, or even overbearing; — said of persons.

Some positive, persisting fogs we know, That, if once wrong, will needs be always so. Pope.

7. Having the power of direct action or influence; as, a positive voice in legislation. Swift.
8. (Photog.) Corresponding in lights and shades to those of the original from which taken; not reversed; as, a positive picture.

Positive crystal (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, &c. — Positive degree (Gram.), the state of an adjective which denotes simple or absolute quality, without comparison or relation to increase or diminution; as, wise, noble. — Positive electricity, in the theory of Dr. Franklin, the electricity which a body contains above its natural quantity; vitreous electricity. — Positive philosophy, the philosophical system of Auguste Comte, which claims to regard only facts and their generalizations, as distinguished from metaphysical and theological assumptions. See POSITIVISM. — Positive pole. (a.) (Elect. & Galv.) The pole of a battery or pile which yields positive or vitreous electricity; — opposed to negative pole. (b.) (Magnetism.) The north pole. — Positive quantity (Alg.), an affirmative quantity, or one affected by the sign plus, or +. — Positive sign, the sign plus, or +.