adjective / noun
positive
Indicating that a tested condition or substance is present.
The test gives a positive result for the substance.
Etymology
Positive can mean affirmative rather than denying. A positive test affirms the presence of the condition or substance the test is designed to detect.
More examples
- The laboratory recorded several positives.
- A positive reading prompted another check.
- She asked whether the positive result had been confirmed.
Forms
positive · positives
Similar words
- detected
- Indicates that a test found the target, without naming the whole result.