10 PHRASE If someone or something is in position , they are in their correct or usual place or arrangement. □ This second door is an extra security measure and can be locked in position during the day. □ Some 28,000 U.S. troops are moving into position. SYNONYMS position NOUN 1
location: She knew the exact location of The Eagle's headquarters.
place: The best place to catch fish on a canal is close to a lock.
site: Plymouth Hoe is renowned as the site where Drake played bowls.
whereabouts: Once he knew his father's name, finding his whereabouts proved surprisingly easy.
po|si|tion|al /pəz I ʃən ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Positional refers to the physical position of someone, for example in a football match. □ The manager has made no positional changes for the second game.
po|si |tion pa |per (position papers ) N‑COUNT A position paper is a detailed report which usually explains or recommends a particular course of action.
posi|tive ◆◆◇ /pɒ z I t I v/
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are positive about things, you are hopeful and confident, and think of the good aspects of a situation rather than the bad ones. □ [+ about ] Be positive about your future and get on with living a normal life. □ …a positive frame of mind. ● posi|tive|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ You really must try to start thinking positively.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A positive fact, situation, or experience is pleasant and helpful to you in some way. □ The parting from his sister had a positive effect on John. ● N‑SING The positive in a situation is the good and pleasant aspects of it. □ Work on the positive, creating beautiful, loving and fulfilling relationships.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you make a positive decision or take positive action, you do something definite in order to deal with a task or problem. □ Having a good diet gives me a sense that I'm doing something positive and that I'm in control.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A positive response to something indicates agreement, approval, or encouragement. □ Police have had a positive response to appeals for information from motorists travelling on the M40. ● posi|tive|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ He responded positively and accepted the fee of £1000 I had offered.
5 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are positive about something, you are completely sure about it. □ I'm as positive as I can be about it. □ 'She's never late. You sure she said eight?'—'Positive.'
6 ADJ [ADJ n] Positive evidence gives definite proof of the truth or identity of something. □ There was no positive evidence that any birth defects had arisen as a result of Vitamin A intake. ● posi|tive|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The body has been positively identified as his.
7 ADJ If a medical or scientific test is positive , it shows that something has happened or is present. □ If the test is positive, a course of antibiotics may be prescribed. □ He was stripped of his gold medal after testing positive for steroids.
8 HIV positive → see HIV
9 ADJ [ADJ n] A positive number is greater than zero. □ It's really a simple numbers game with negative and positive numbers.
10 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If something has a positive electrical charge, it has the same charge as a proton and the opposite charge to an electron. [TECHNICAL ]
po si|tive dis|crimi|na |tion N‑UNCOUNT Positive discrimination means making sure that people such as women, members of smaller racial groups, and people with disabilities get a fair share of the opportunities available. [BRIT ] in AM, use affirmative action
posi|tive|ly /pɒ z I t I vli/
1 ADV You use positively to emphasize that you really mean what you are saying. [EMPHASIS ] □ This is positively the worst thing that I can even imagine.
2 ADV [ADV adj, ADV before v] You use positively to emphasize that something really is the case, although it may sound surprising or extreme. [EMPHASIS ] □ He's changed since he came back–he seems positively cheerful.
3 → see also positive
posi|tiv|ism /pɒ z I t I v I sm/ N‑UNCOUNT Positivism is a philosophy which accepts only things that can be seen or proved. ● posi|tiv|ist (positivists ) N‑COUNT [usu N n] □ By far the most popular idea is the positivist one that we should keep only the facts.
poss /pɒ s/
1 PHRASE ' If poss ' means the same as 'if possible'. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ We'll rush it round today if poss.
2 PHRASE ' As poss ' means the same as 'as possible'. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ Tell them I'll be there as soon as poss.
pos|se /pɒ si/ (posses )
1 N‑COUNT A posse of people is a group of people with the same job or purpose. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …a posse of reporters.
2 N‑COUNT In former times, in the United States, a posse was a group of men who were brought together by the local law officer to help him chase and capture a criminal.
pos|sess /pəze s/ (possesses , possessing , possessed )
1 VERB [no passive] If you possess something, you have it or own it. □ [V n] He was then arrested and charged with possessing an offensive weapon. □ [V n] He is said to possess a fortune of more than two-and-a-half-thousand million dollars.
2 VERB [no cont] If someone or something possesses a particular quality, ability, or feature, they have it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] …individuals who are deemed to possess the qualities of sense, loyalty and discretion.