positive definite

American  

adjective

Mathematics.

1. (of a quadratic form) positive for all real values of the variables, where the values are not all zero.

2. (of a matrix) displaying the coefficients of a positive definite quadratic form.

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Other Word Forms

• positive definiteness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of positive definite

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Anything positive, definite, susceptible of proof, no matter how distressing, would be more tolerable than this suspense, this maddening conjecture.

From Infelice by Evans, Augusta J. (Augusta Jane)

There ought to be some very quick, positive, definite answer.

From Unborn Tomorrow by Freas, Kelly

They imply a confession of lack of such wisdom as would enable me to make positive definite proposals.

From China, Japan and the U.S.A. Present-Day Conditions in the Far East and Their Bearing on the Washington Conference by Dewey, John

His heart ached with a positive, definite pain that he was not younger, handsomer, and better equipped to win the love of his wife.

From He Fell in Love with His Wife by Roe, Edward Payson

“You mean that it has come as a positive definite occurrence, with a name and a date?”

From The Beast in the Jungle by James, Henry