2 meanings, 8 uses
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1 —4 uses as in:
I'm absolutely positive!
Definition
certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
- The woman was positively known to have worn handkerchiefs in her bodice as padding—oh, the town had simply roared at her.Chapter 21 (47% in)
positively = absolutely (used for emphasis)
Other Uses (with this meaning)
- He was positive.Chapter 2 (43% in)
- I know positively that Mrs. Clark, after swearing that she wouldn't weaken and encourage them in their outrageous demands, went and paid five-fifty—think of it! practically a dollar a day for unskilled work and, of course, her food and room and a chance to do her own washing right in with the rest of the wash.Chapter 7 (80% in)
- It may have been the fact that Mrs. Swiftwaite's friend remained to Kennicott an ill-told rumor, it may have been Carol's voice, wistful in the pallid evening as she sang to Hugh, it may have been natural and commendable virtue, but certainly he was positive: "Nope.Chapter 25 (72% in)
positive = certain
positively = with certainty
positive = certain
There are no more uses of "positive" flagged with this meaning in Main Street.
Typical Usage
(best examples)
2 —1 use as in:
had a positive effect
Definition
good or beneficial
- I've failed at every positive thing I've tried.Chapter 13 (86% in)
positive = good
There are no more uses of "positive" flagged with this meaning in Main Street.
Typical Usage
(best examples)
? —3 uses
exact meaning not specified
- Her most positive experience was the revelation of Mrs. Flickerbaugh, the tall, thin, twitchy wife of the attorney.Chapter 27 (41% in)
- Oh, maybe once or twice, when Will has positively known of a case where Doctor—where one of the others has continued to call on patients longer than necessary, he has laughed about it, but——Chapter 13 (70% in)
- It is negation canonized as the one positive virtue.Chapter 22 (29% in)
There are no more uses of "positive" in Main Street.
Typical Usage
(best examples)