Pos"i*tive, a. 1.
(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.
2. (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.
Pos"i*tive (?), 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.
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.) 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
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.
Pos"i*tive, n. 1.
That which is capable of being affirmed; reality.
South.
2. That which settles by absolute
appointment.
3. (Gram.) The positive degree or
form.
4. (Photog.) 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.) The positive plate of a
voltaic or electrolytic cell.
Pos"i*tive, a. 1.
(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.
2. (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.
