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Positive vs Better - What's the difference?

positive | better |

As nouns the difference between positive and better

is that positive is while better is an entity, usually animate, deemed superior to another; one who has a claim to precedence; a superior or better can be .

As an adjective better is

(good).

As an adverb better is

.

As a verb better is

to improve.

positive

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • (legal) Formally laid down.
  • * Hooker
  • In laws, that which is natural bindeth universally; that which is positive , not so.
  • Stated definitively and without qualification.
  • * :
  • Positive words, that he would not bear arms against King Edward’s son.
  • Fully assured in opinion.
  • I’m absolutely positive you've spelt that wrong.
  • (mathematics) Of number, greater than zero.
  • Characterized by constructiveness or influence for the better.
  • * :
  • a positive voice in legislation.
  • Overconfident, dogmatic.
  • * :
  • Some positive , persisting fops we know, That, if once wrong, will needs be always so.
  • (chiefly, philosophy) Actual, real, concrete, not theoretical or speculative.
  • * :
  • Positive good.
  • (physics) Having more protons than electrons.
  • A cation is a positive ion as it has more protons than electrons.
  • (grammar) Describing the primary sense of an adjective, adverb or noun; not comparative, superlative, augmentative nor diminutive.
  • ‘Better’ is an irregular comparative of the positive form ‘good’.
  • Derived from an object by itself; not dependent on changing circumstances or relations; absolute.
  • The idea of beauty is not positive , but depends on the different tastes of individuals.
  • Characterized by the existence or presence of distinguishing qualities or features, rather than by their absence.
  • The box was not empty – I felt some positive substance within it.
  • Characterized by the presence of features which support a hypothesis.
  • The results of our experiment are positive .
  • (photography) Of a visual image, true to the original in light, shade and colour values.
  • A positive photograph can be developed from a photographic negative.
  • Favorable, desirable by those interested or invested in that which is being judged.
  • The first-night reviews were largely positive .
  • Wholly what is expressed; colloquially downright, entire, outright.
  • Good lord, you've built up a positive arsenal of weaponry here.
  • Optimistic.
  • He has a positive outlook on life.
  • (chemistry) electropositive
  • (chemistry) basic; metallic; not acid; opposed to negative, and said of metals, bases, and basic radicals.
  • (slang) HIV positive.
  • (New Age jargon) Good, desirable, healthful, pleasant, enjoyable; (often precedes 'energy', 'thought', 'feeling' or 'emotion').
  • 2009 , Christopher Johns, Becoming a Reflective Practitioner , John Wiley & Sons, p. 15
    Negative feelings can be worked through and their energy converted into positive' energy... In crisis, normal patterns of self-organization fail, resulting in anxiety (negative energy). Being open systems, people can exchange this energy with the environment and create ' positive energy for taking action...

    Synonyms

    * (sense, steadfast in one's knowledge or belief) certain, sure, wis

    Antonyms

    * (physics) negative * (mathematics) nonpositive * (doubtful) uncertain, unsure * (spiritual quality) bad, evil, nongood

    Derived terms

    * positivism * dipositive * positive crystal * positive degree * positive electricity * positive eyepiece * positive law * positively * positive motion * positive philosophy * positive pole * positive quantity * positive rotation * positive sign * positive contribution * tripositive * unipositive

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A thing capable of being affirmed; something real or actual.
  • (South)
  • A favourable point or characteristic.
  • Something having a positive value in physics, such as an electric charge.
  • (grammar) An adjective or adverb in the positive degree.
  • (photography) A positive image; one that displays true colors and shades, as opposed to a negative.
  • The positive plate of a voltaic or electrolytic cell.
  • better

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) better, bettre, betre, from (etyl) .

    Adjective

    (head)
  • (good)
  • * {{quote-video, date = 2002-11-01
  • , title = , episode = , number = 4 , passage = Badger:'' You think you're better''' than other people.
    ''Mal:'' Just the ones I'm '
    better than. }}
  • (well)
  • larger, greater
  • Derived terms
    * better dead than red * better half * better off * betterness * better part of * get better

    Adverb

    (head)
  • * 1901 , ,
  • “I’ve had enough of cycling with you chaps. I can spend my Sundays better than in tormenting cats and quarrelling and fighting.”
  • More, in reference to value, distance, time, etc.
  • ten miles and better
    Derived terms
    * had better * 'd better

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To improve.
  • * Wordsworth
  • Love betters what is best.
  • * Thackeray
  • He thought to better his circumstances.
  • * Macaulay
  • the constant effort of every man to better himself
  • To become better; to improve.
  • (Carlyle)
  • To surpass in excellence; to exceed; to excel.
  • * Hooker
  • The works of nature do always aim at that which can not be bettered .
  • To give advantage to; to support; to advance the interest of.
  • * Milton
  • Weapons more violent, when next we meet, / May serve to better us and worse our foes.
  • (slang) Had better.
  • You better do that if you know what's good for you.
    Derived terms
    * betterer * betterment
    Synonyms
    * See also

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An entity, usually animate, deemed superior to another; one who has a claim to precedence; a superior.
  • He quickly found Ali his better in the ring.
  • * Hooker
  • Their betters would hardly be found.

    Derived terms

    * get the better of

    Etymology 2

    Alternate pronunciation of (bettor) or modern formation from the verb to (bet).

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Statistics

    * 1000 English basic words ----