4. Relative place or standing; social or official rank; as, a person of
position; hence, office; post; as, to lose one's position.
5. (Arith.) A method of solving a problem by one or two suppositions;
-- called also the rule of trial and error.
Angle of position (Astron.), the angle which any line (as that joining
two stars) makes with another fixed line, specifically with a circle of
declination. -- Double position (Arith.), the method of solving
problems by proceeding with each of two assumed numbers, according to
the conditions of the problem, and by comparing the difference of the
results with those of the numbers, deducing the correction to be
applied to one of them to obtain the true result. -- Guns of position
(Mil.), heavy fieldpieces, not designed for quick movements. --
Position finder (Mil.), a range finder. See under Range. -- Position
micrometer, a micrometer applied to the tube of an astronomical
telescope for measuring angles of position in the field of view. --
Single position (Arith.), the method of solving problems, in which the
result obtained by operating with an assumed number is to the true
result as the number assumed is to the number required. -- Strategic
position (Mil.), a position taken up by an army or a large detachment
of troops for the purpose of checking or observing an opposing force.
Syn. -- Situation; station; place; condition; attitude; posture;
proposition; assertion; thesis.
Po*si"tion (?), v. t. To indicate the position of; to place. [R.]
Encyc. Brit.
Po*si"tion*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to position.
Ascribing unto plants positional operations.
Sir T. Browne.
Pos"i*tive (?), a. [OE. positif, F. positif, L. positivus. See
Position.] 1. Having a real position, existence, or energy; existing in
fact; real; actual; -- opposed to negative. "Positive good." Bacon.
2. Derived from an object by itself; not dependent on changing
circumstances or relations; absolute; -- opposed to relative; as, the
idea of beauty is not positive, but depends on the different tastes
individuals.
3. Definitely laid down; explicitly stated; clearly expressed; --
opposed to implied; as, a positive declaration or promise.
Positive words, that he would not bear arms against King Edward's
son.
Bacon.
4. Hence: Not admitting of any doubt, condition, qualification, or
discretion; not dependent on circumstances or probabilities; not
speculative; compelling assent or obedience; peremptory; indisputable;
decisive; as, positive instructions; positive truth; positive proof.
"'T is positive 'gainst all exceptions." Shak.
5. Prescribed by express enactment or institution; settled by arbitrary
appointment; said of laws.
In laws, that which is natural bindeth universally; that which is
positive, not so.
Hooker.
6. Fully assured; confident; certain; sometimes, overconfident;
dogmatic; overbearing; -- said of persons.
Some positive, persisting fops we know, That, if once wrong, will
needs be always.
Pope.
7. Having the power of direct action or influence; as, a positive voice
in legislation. Swift.
8. (Photog.) Corresponding with the original in respect to the position
of lights and shades, instead of having the lights and shades reversed;
as, a positive picture.
9. (Chem.) (a) Electro- positive. (b) Hence, basic; metallic; not acid;
-- opposed to negative, and said of metals, bases, and basic radicals.
Positive crystals (Opt.), a doubly refracting crystal in which the
index of refraction for the extraordinary ray is greater than for the
ordinary ray, and the former is refracted nearer to the axis than the
latter, as quartz and ice; -- opposed to negative crystal, or one in
which this characteristic is reversed, as Iceland spar, tourmaline,
etc. -- Positive degree (Gram.), that state of an adjective or adverb
which denotes simple quality, without comparison or relation to
increase or diminution; as, wise, noble. -- Positive electricity
(Elec), the kind of electricity which is developed when glass is rubbed
with silk, or which appears at that pole of a voltaic battery attached
to the plate that is not attacked by the exciting liquid; -- formerly
called vitreous electricity; -- opposed to negative electricity. --
Positive eyepiece. See under Eyepiece. -- Positive law. See Municipal
law, under Law. -- Positive motion (Mach.), motion which is derived
from a driver through unyielding intermediate pieces, or by direct
contact, and not through elastic connections, nor by means of friction,
gravity, etc.; definite motion. -- Positive philosophy. See Positivism.
-- Positive pole. (a) (Elec.) The pole of a battery or pile which
yields positive or vitreous electricity; -- opposed to negative pole.
(b) (Magnetism) The north pole. [R.] -- Positive quantity (Alg.), an
affirmative quantity, or one affected by the sign plus [+]. -- Positive
rotation (Mech.), left-handed rotation. -- Positive sign (Math.), the
sign [+] denoting plus, or more, or addition.
Pos"i*tive, n. 1. That which is capable of being affirmed; reality.
South.