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Positive vs Inactive - What's the difference?

positive | inactive |

In physics terms the difference between positive and inactive

is that positive is having more protons than electrons while inactive is showing no optical activity in polarized light.

In chemistry terms the difference between positive and inactive

is that positive is basic; metallic; not acid; opposed to negative, and said of metals, bases, and basic radicals while inactive is relatively inert.

As adjectives the difference between positive and inactive

is that positive is formally laid down while inactive is not active, temporarily or permanently.

As a noun positive

is a thing capable of being affirmed; something real or actual.

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.

    • inactive

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Not active, temporarily or permanently
    • The volcano is inactive , but is only dormant.
  • Not functioning or operating; broken down
    • The photocopier is inactive pending repair.
  • Retired from duty or service
    • Admiral Jones is now on the inactive list.
  • (chemistry) Relatively inert
    • Aluminium is inactive towards water.
  • (physics) Showing no optical activity in polarized light
    • Synthetic glycine is optically inactive as it contains equal amounts of the d- and l- form.

    Derived terms

    * inactively * inactivity

    Synonyms

    * (not active) dull, dormant * (not functioning or operating) idle

    Antonyms

    * (not active) active