All 6 Uses of
positive
in
Of Human Bondage
- Your saints lived in an age of faith, when it was practically impossible to disbelieve what to us is positively incredible.'†
Chpt 27-28positively = with certainty
- "Gentlemen,' he said in a stern voice, and his huge nose positively wrinkled with passion, "a name has been mentioned which I never thought to hear again in decent society.†
Chpt 41-42
- The woman walking by his side with her malignant lying positively horrified him.†
Chpt 43-44
- He knew now quite positively that there had been no painting of landscape before Monet; and he felt a real thrill when he stood in front of Rembrandt's Disciples at Emmaus or Velasquez' Lady with the Flea-bitten Nose.†
Chpt 43-44
- He could not be positive that reason was much help in the conduct of life.†
Chpt 67-68positive = certain
- Yet Philip was positive that she was glad to be with him.†
Chpt 121-122 *
Definitions:
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(1)
(positive as in: I'm absolutely positive!) certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
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(2)
(positive as in: had a positive effect) good or beneficial
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(3)
(positive as in: positive feedback from my boss) approval or agreement
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(4)
(positive as in: a positive attitude) optimistic (expecting or focusing on good things); or agreeable
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(5)
(positive as in: The test came back positive.) found a condition or substance to be present
indicating the presence of something being tested for -- especially a disease, condition, or substance -
(6)
(positive as in: a positive number) greater than zero (of a number)
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(7)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) 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.