adjective

1. formally or arbitrarily set; conventional; artificial a positive law
2. definitely set; explicitly laid down; admitting of no question or modification; express; precise; specific positive instructions
3. 1. having the mind set or settled; confident; assured a positive person
   2. overconfident or dogmatic
4. showing resolution or agreement; affirmative; certain a positive answer
5. tending in the direction regarded as that of increase, progress, etc. clockwise motion is positive
6. making a definite contribution; constructive positive criticism
7. unrelated to anything else; independent of circumstances; absolute; unqualified
8. that has, or is considered as having, real existence in itself, not just in the absence of other attributes a positive good
9. based, or asserted as based, on reality or facts positive proof
10. concerned only with real things and experience; empirical; practical
11. Informal complete; absolute; out-and-out a positive fool
12. Biol. directed toward the source of a stimulus positive tropism
13. ☆ Elec.
    1. of, generating, or charged with positive electricity
    2. having a deficiency of electrons
14. Gram.
    1. of an adjective or adverb in its simple, uninflected or unmodified form or degree; neither comparative nor superlative
    2. of this degree
15. Math. designating a quantity greater than zero, or one to be added; plus
16. Med. having or demonstrating, showing, or proving the presence or existence of a condition, an infection, symptoms, bacteria, etc. a patient who is positive for TB, a positive TB test
17. Photog. with the light and shade corresponding to those of the subject

Etymology: ME positif < OFr < L positivus < positus: see position

noun