All 14 Uses of

positive

in

Emma

For her own sake she could not be rude; and for Harriet's, in the hope that all would yet turn out right, she was even positively civil; but it was an effort; especially as something was going on amongst the others, in the most overpowering period of Mr. Elton's nonsense, which she particularly wished to listen to.†
Chpt 1.13-14 (definition 1)

Three months, she says so, positively, as I am going to have the pleasure of reading to you.†
Chpt 2.1-2 (definition 1)

The party did not break up without Emma's being positively secured for the two first dances by the hero of the evening, nor without her overhearing Mr. Weston whisper to his wife, "He has asked her, my dear.†
Chpt 2.11-12 (definition 1)

Letters are no matter of indifference; they are generally a very positive curse.†
Chpt 2.15-16 (definition 1)

I always say there is something direful in the sound: but nothing more is positively known of the Tupmans, though a good many things I assure you are suspected; and yet by their manners they evidently think themselves equal even to my brother, Mr. Suckling, who happens to be one of their nearest neighbours.†
Chpt 2.17-18 (definition 1)

At the same time, I will not positively answer for my having never dropt a hint, because I know I do sometimes pop out a thing before I am aware.†
Chpt 3.5-6 (definition 1)

—On her side, all was warmth, energy, and triumph—and she positively refused to take her friend's negative, though Miss Fairfax continued to assure her that she would not at present engage in any thing, repeating the same motives which she had been heard to urge before.†
Chpt 3.5-6 (definition 1)

It is not every body that would have stood out in such a kind way as she did, and refuse to take Jane's answer; but she positively declared she would not write any such denial yesterday, as Jane wished her; she would wait—and, sure enough, yesterday evening it was all settled that Jane should go.†
Chpt 3.7-8 (definition 1)

'You must all spend your evening with us,' said she—'I positively must have you all come.'†
Chpt 3.7-8 (definition 1) *

"More than an attachment, indeed," resumed Mrs. Weston; "an engagement—a positive engagement.†
Chpt 3.9-10 (definition 1)

He positively said that it had been known to no being in the world but their two selves.†
Chpt 3.9-10 (definition 1)

Uses with a very rare meaning:

He begged to be shewn the house which his father had lived in so long, and which had been the home of his father's father; and on recollecting that an old woman who had nursed him was still living, walked in quest of her cottage from one end of the street to the other; and though in some points of pursuit or observation there was no positive merit, they shewed, altogether, a good-will towards Highbury in general, which must be very like a merit to those he was with.†
Chpt 2.5-6 (definition 2)

They were the first entitled, after Mrs. Weston and Emma, to be made happy;—from them he would have proceeded to Miss Fairfax, but she was so deep in conversation with John Knightley, that it would have been too positive an interruption; and finding himself close to Mrs. Elton, and her attention disengaged, he necessarily began on the subject with her.†
Chpt 2.17-18 (definition 2) *

Definitions:

(1) (positive as in: I'm absolutely positive!)
certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)

(2) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)
See a comprehensive dictionary for less common meanings of positive including some in the fields of electricity, physics, chemistry, medicine, philosophy, and grammar. Note that most all senses of positive indicate that something is good or present.