All 21 Uses of
positive
in
David Copperfield
- The playground was a bare gravelled yard, open to all the back of the house and the offices; and I knew that the servants read it, and the butcher read it, and the baker read it; that everybody, in a word, who came backwards and forwards to the house, of a morning when I was ordered to walk there, read that I was to be taken care of, for I bit, I recollect that I positively began to have a dread of myself, as a kind of wild boy who did bite.
Chpt 4-6positively = with certainty; or absolutely (used for emphasis)
- 'Clara!' said Miss Murdstone, rising angrily, 'you are a positive fool sometimes.'†
Chpt 7-9
- 'A positive fool,' said Miss Murdstone.†
Chpt 7-9
- I said, "My dear, here's Doctor Strong has positively been and made you the subject of a handsome declaration and an offer."†
Chpt 16-18
- I felt some curiosity and excitement about this lady, especially as Steerforth burst into a fit of laughing when I referred to her, and positively refused to answer any question of which I made her the subject.
Chpt 22-24positively = absolutely (used for emphasis)
- I therefore made him promise positively in the names of his two friends, and we appointed six o'clock as the dinner-hour.†
Chpt 22-24
- For being of an inquisitive disposition, and unable to confine herself (as her positive instructions were) to the pantry, she was constantly peering in at us, and constantly imagining herself detected; in which belief, she several times retired upon the plates (with which she had carefully paved the floor), and did a great deal of destruction.†
Chpt 22-24
- Positively Idols!†
Chpt 25-27
- '— K. then positively refused to sign.
Chpt 25-27positively = absolutely (used for emphasis)
- There was something positively awful to me in this, and in the brightness of her eyes, as she said, looking fixedly at me: 'What is he doing?'
Chpt 28-30
- …for three whole centuries, should be an accidental building, never designed for the purpose, leased by the registrars for their Own private emolument, unsafe, not even ascertained to be fire-proof, choked with the important documents it held, and positively, from the roof to the basement, a mercenary speculation of the registrars, who took great fees from the public, and crammed the public's wills away anyhow and anywhere, having no other object than to get rid of them cheaply.†
Chpt 31-33
- 'My dear Copperfield,' said Traddles, 'I have already done so, because I begin to feel that I have not only been inconsiderate, but that I have been positively unjust to Sophy.
Chpt 34-36positively = absolutely (used for emphasis)
- My aunt's tears of pleasure were positively trickling down into the warm ale.
Chpt 34-36
- My friend Heep has not fixed the positive remuneration at too high a figure, but he has made a great deal, in the way of extrication from the pressure of pecuniary difficulties, contingent on the value of my services; and on the value of those services I pin my faith.†
Chpt 34-36
- We must guard ourselves from recognizing any positive engagement between Mr. Copperfield and our niece, until we have had an opportunity —'†
Chpt 40-42
- The only member of our small society who positively refused to adapt himself to circumstances, was Jip.
Chpt 40-42positively = absolutely (used for emphasis)
- We are positively corrupting people.
Chpt 46-48 *
- 'Madam,' he replied, 'I am informed that we must positively be on board before seven tomorrow morning.'
Chpt 55-57
- To an unfortunate bachelor of a fellow who has lived alone all his life, you know, it's positively delicious.
Chpt 58-60
- …on these dark mornings, busying herself in the day's arrangements, going out to market before the clerks come into the Inn, caring for no weather, devising the most capital little dinners out of the plainest materials, making puddings and pies, keeping everything in its right place, always so neat and ornamental herself, sitting up at night with me if it's ever so late, sweet-tempered and encouraging always, and all for me, I positively sometimes can't believe it, Copperfield!'
Chpt 61-62positively = with certainty; or absolutely (used for emphasis)
- 'I positively sometimes can't believe it,' said Traddles.
Chpt 61-62
Definition:
-
(positive as in: I'm absolutely positive!) certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)