positiveness

positive ► ADJECTIVE 1) characterized by the presence rather than the absence of distinguishing features. 2) expressing or implying affirmation, agreement, or permission. 3) constructive, optimistic, or confident. 4) with no possibility of doubt; certain. 5) (of a quantity) greater than zero. 6) of, containing, or producing the kind of electric charge opposite to that carried by electrons. 7) (of a photographic image) showing light and shade or colours true to the original. 8) Grammar (of an adjective or adverb) expressing a quality in its basic, primary degree. Contrasted with COMPARATIVE(Cf. ↑comparative) and SUPERLATIVE(Cf. ↑superlatively).

► NOUN ▪ a positive quality, attribute, or image.

DERIVATIVES positively adverb positiveness noun positivity noun.

ORIGIN originally referring to laws as being formally «laid down»: from Old French positif, from Latin ponere 'to place' .