Positive

Positive, adjective

• 1. Consisting in or characterized by the presence rather than the absence of distinguishing features.
  ‘Mitomycin C and cyclophosphamide were used as positive controls in the absence and presence of S9, respectively.’
  • 1.1 Expressing or implying affirmation, agreement, or permission. ‘the company received a positive response from investors’
  • 1.2 (of the results of a test or experiment) indicating that a certain substance or condition is present or exists. ‘the positive results of a pregnancy test’
  • 1.3 (of a person) having a specified condition, or showing traces of a specified substance in their body. ‘a player had tested positive for cocaine use’
• 2. Constructive, optimistic, or confident.
  ‘there needs to be a positive approach to young offenders’
  • 2.1 Showing progress or improvement.
    ‘the prospects for positive growth in the economy do not look good’
• 3. With no possibility of doubt; definite.
  ‘he made a positive identification of a glossy ibis’
  • 3.1 Convinced in one’s opinion; certain.
    ‘‘You are sure it was the same man?’ ‘Positive!’ said George’
  • 3.2 informal attributive Downright; complete (used for emphasis)
• 4. (of a quantity) greater than zero.
  ‘He defines limits of positive variable quantities using ideas that he had used in looking at limits of series.’