affirmativeadj.n.int.

Brit.

/əˈfəːmətɪv/, U.S.

/əˈfərmədɪv/

Forms: late Middle English affirmatyf, late Middle English affirmatyff, late Middle English affirmatyue, late Middle English–1500s affyrmatyf, late Middle English–1500s affyrmatyfe, late Middle English– affirmative, 1500s affermatyf, 1500s affirmatyue, 1500s affyrmatiue, 1500s affyrmatyffe, 1500s affyrmatyue, 1500s–1600s affirmatiue, 1600s affermative, 1600s affirmatif; also Scottish pre-1700 affirmativ, pre-1700 affirmitiwe.

Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: French affirmatif; Latin affirmativus.

Etymology: < (i) Anglo-Norman affirmative, affermatif, Anglo-Norman and Middle French affirmatif (French affirmatif ) asserting that a fact is so, expressing affirmation (13th cent. in Old French); and its etymon (ii) post-classical Latin affirmativus that expresses affirmation or confirmation (from 4th cent. in grammarians; 5th or 6th cent. in a logical context) < classical Latin affirmāt- , past participial stem of affirmāre affirm v. + -īvus -ive suffix. Compare negative adj. With the use as noun compare post-classical Latin affirmativum (neuter) mode in a proposition that expresses agreement (5th or 6th cent.), affirmativa (feminine) affirmation (from 14th cent. in British sources; also in continental sources), Old French afirmative , Anglo-Norman and Middle French, French affirmative affirmative statement or proposition (late 13th cent.; in Anglo-Norman also affermatif , affirmatif ), and also earlier negative n.Compare Old Occitan affirmatiu (c1350), Spanish afirmativo (first half of the 13th cent.), Portuguese afirmativo (14th cent.), Italian affermativo (a1305).

A. adj.

a. Asserting that a fact is as stated or perceived; declaring what exists; expressing a positive response.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > statement > assertion or affirmation > [adjective]

affirmativec1449

affirmant1574

asseveringa1734

ponent1770

asseverating1838

asserting1848

affirm1960

the mind > language > statement > affirmation and denial > [adjective]

affirmative1571

c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 506 Summe othere comaundementis ben affirmatyue comaundementis, that is to seie, biddingis that certein deedis be doon.

c1475 (c1445) R. Pecock Donet (1921) 181 (MED) Wheþir ech negative trewþe hangiþ vpon affirmative trewþe or affirmative trewþis, must be deferrid for his hardnes.

1535 W. Marshall tr. Marsilius of Padua Def. of Peace xii. f.79^v This nowne precepte then taken actyuely and commenlye: is sayde of the ordynaunce or statute of a prynce or gouernour, aswell an affyrmatyue as negatyue statute.

1571 T. Fortescue tr. P. Mexia Foreste ii. v. f.62 If he gaue affirmatiue aunswere, then should they take eche other by the hande immediatly, in token of assured faith.

1620 Bp. J. Hall Honor Married Clergie i. xxviii. 98 This negatiue charge implies an affirmatiue allowance.

1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan iii. xlii. 290 The ordinary way of distinguishing the Affirmative Votes from the Negatives, was by Holding up of Hands.

1728 E. Chambers Cycl. (at cited word) In Grammar, Authors distinguish Affirmative Particles: Such is, Yes.

1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison I. ii. 5 Now will your Ladyship doubt of an affirmative answer to your second question, Whether Love has listed me in the number of her particular admirers.

1851 H. Spencer Social Statics xxxii. §4 This question seems to claim an affirmative answer.

1865 T. Carlyle Hist. Friedrich II of Prussia VI. xxi. vi. 575 Görtz Junior..after some intense brief deliberation, becomes affirmative.

1924 Cosmopolitan Apr. 69/2 I thoroughly enjoy..the yes-men who hang about the executives and hold their jobs by simply being constantly affirmative.

1962 Amer. Speech 37 230 Foreign visitors to the United States..have learned the proper affirmative and negative responses of yes and no.

2001 N.Y. Times 11 Mar. iv. 5/4 Christopher Knight..assessed qualifications by waiting for an affirmative answer to the question.

b. Originally and chiefly U.S. Offering confirmation in response to a statement or question (esp. in radio communication): correct, right. Esp. in that's affirmative.

ΚΠ

1956 N.Y. Times 21 June 22/1 Two one two four, that's affirmative.

1971 Newsday 1 Feb. 25/4 Shepherd: ‘I'm sure you're thinking about the possibility of going hard suit, bringing the probe inside and looking at it, as we are.’ Control: ‘That's affirmative.’

1995 V. Lanier Death in Bloodhound Red v. 49 ‘Rescue One to Base. Do you have projection? Over.’ ‘Base to Rescue One. That is affirmative. Over.’

2011 S. Brezenoff Burglar who bit Big Apple i. 12 ‘Is this your first time in New York City?’ ‘That's affirmative, officer,’ I replied. The cops laughed.

†a. That supports or sustains; strengthening; giving emphasis. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > [adjective]

sustaining?c1425

affirmative?1504

supportable1531

upholding1553

supportive1593

supportful1610

underpropping1614

subjunctive1656

buttressing1672

supportative1803

upholdatory1829

sustenant1874

hand-holding1920

?1504 S. Hawes Example of Vertu sig. ff.iv Dame grace bare vp her trayne Whiche euer to her was affyrmatyue.

1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure xvi. xlix No worldely thyng can be wythout stryfe, For unto pleasure payne is affyrmatyfe.

1580 C. Hollyband Treasurie French Tong Da, for Dea, a word affirmative, as ouy da, yea forsooth.

b. Confirmatory, corroborative; spec. (of a legal judgment) that upholds or supports a decision by a lower court.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > [adjective] > serving to support or confirm

cited?1555

justificative1611

confirmatory1636

confirmative1641

argumentative1642

confirming1661

affirmative1702

supporting1763

supportive1771

justificatory1779

1702 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion I. ii. 106 He receiv'd the affirmative Advice of all the Judges of England.

1796 Monthly Rev. June 137 As to the five books attributed to Moses,..Mr. P. is not justified in saying that there is no affirmative evidence of Moses being the author.

1845 Law Times 5 158/3 Whether the Vice-Chancellor of England's decision be upheld or not, the havoc which will be made in existing settlements by an affirmative judgment will be altogether irreparable.

1891 J. B. Grinnell Men & Events of Forty Years viii. 126 It was a bitter contest up to the affirmative decision of its legality by the supreme court.

1921 Amer. Jrnl. Surg. 35 253/2 Their [sc. giant cells'] presence..cannot be affirmative of tumor growth.

1995 Amer. Econ. Rev. 85 282/1 That these households are somewhat more likely to save the transitory income provides a modicum of affirmative support for the hypothesis.

2005 B. Krishnamoorthy Environmental Managem. p. ix The Supreme Court of India's recent affirmative judgement requiring the Cola Companies to specify the level of pesticide content in their bottled aerated drinks.

c. Originally U.S. Positive, beneficial, life-enhancing. In later use: spec. that offers or provides support, help, or encouragement.

ΚΠ

1862 R. W. Emerson Thoreau in Atlantic Monthly Aug. 247/1 Thoreau was sincerity itself, and might fortify the convictions of prophets in the ethical laws by his holy living. It was an affirmative experience which refused to be set aside.

1906 Sewanee Rev. 14 70 A man's life is not the sum of his self denials but the sum of his affirmative experiences, and the more points at which he with wisdom and temperance touches and enjoys the world the more he lives.

1951 Bull. Amer. Assoc. University Professors 37 20 The rôle of the college teachers today..needs no apology, however much we may wish and hope that more positive and affirmative influences might be emanating from it.

1963 Art Educ. 16 vi. 14/2 I try to help them [sc. boys and girls] through my teaching to become responsible people with sensitivity and a sense of discrimination. I believe in the positive and affirmative approach.

1999 K. B. Hackstaff Marriage in Culture of Divorce iii. 57 Divorce is less destructive than marital conflict and may even be an affirmative act—serving as a gateway to a more fulfilling life.

2011 E. A. Dragowski et al. in A. Bursztyn Childhood Psychol. Disorders x. 183 Parents may choose to educate themselves and others to be accepting, affirmative, and nonjudgmental of their children and themselves.

3. Logic. Of, relating to, or being a proposition in which the predicate affirms something about the subject, as opposed to negative, conditional, etc.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > philosophy > logic > logical proposition > [adjective] > affirmative

affirmative1532

affirmant1574

assertorya1856

assertorial1863

assertorical1870

assertoric1889

predicational1894

1532 T. More Confut. Tyndales Answere ii. p. cxx Yf he turne it from a condycyonall proposycyon in to an affyrmatyue antecedent and consequent: it shall sone be shewed hym that hys consequent were possyble to be false and hys antecedent trewe.

1570 H. Billingsley tr. Euclid Elements Geom. i. f. 17 A proposition vniuersall affirmatiue is most agreable to sciences.

1628 T. Spencer Art of Logick 188 A definition must be vniversall, and affirmatiue.

1717 J. Ozell tr. P. Nicole Logic ii. xvii. 209 The attribute of an affirmative Proposition is affirmed in its whole Comprehension, that is to say, in all its Attributes.

1774 T. Reid Brief Acct. Aristotle's Logic iii. §3, in Ld. Kames Sketches Hist. Man II. iii. 198 There is only one legitimate mode in which an universal affirmative proposition can be proved.

1849 W. Thomson Outl. Laws of Thought (ed. 2) ii. §43. 174 Where a judgment expresses that its two terms agree, it is called Affirmative.

1964 L. H. Kendzierski & F. C. Wade tr. T. de Vio Cajetan Comm. on Being & Essence 152 The diversity between a negative and an affirmative proposition concerning an infinite predicate, when reduplication is present.

2008 N. Hendrickson et al. Rowman & Littlefield Handbk. Crit. Thinking v. 35 A universal affirmative proposition and a particular negative proposition with the same subject and predicate terms are contradictories.

†4. Assertive, insistent; dogmatic. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > statement > dogmatic assertion > [adjective]

peremptory1575

categoricala1620

pronunciative1619

affirmative1650

thetical1653

categoric1678

round1701

plonking1950

the mind > mental capacity > belief > expressed belief, opinion > extreme opinion, dogmatism > [adjective]

high?1535

Arctic1593

magistral1596

forward1608

confident1611

magisterial1635

pragmatic1638

high-flown1640

affirmative1650

thetical1653

positive1658

pragmatical1660

dogmatical1662

dogmatic1681

unargumentative1722

ultra1820

doctrinaire1834

cocksure1842

doctrinary1846

unevidential1853

Doctrinarian1878

pontificating1922

fundamentalist1928

hardcore1951

1650 Bp. J. Taylor Rule & Exercises Holy Living ii. §5. 124 Be not confident and affirmative in an uncertain matter.

1685 tr. J. B. Bossuet Treat. Communion under both Species ii. viii. 281 These affirmative manner of speeches impose upon men: the Pretended Reformers beleive a Minister upon his word, and cannot imagin he dars venture to avouch any thing as not contested.

1739 tr. C. Rollin Anc. Hist. (ed. 2) VI. 64 He at first speaks in an affirmative tone of voice.

1773 Monthly Rev. June 476 Other creeds are content to lay down their several articles in an affirmative manner, without supporting them by argument.

†5. Mathematics. Greater than zero; = positive adj. 6. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > number > mathematical number or quantity > [adjective] > prime > positive, negative, or unsigned

affirmative?1665

negative1669

negativo-affirmative1728

positive1743

signless1847

signed1871

unsigned1953

?1665 I. Newton in Corr. (1960) II. 170 The truth of this Prop: appeareth by compareing it with ye two former as also by calculation if ^m/ _n is a whole & affirmative number, or b lesse than a.

1693 E. Halley in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 17 964 Which is affirmative when 2rρ is less than dr − dρ, otherwise negative.

1718 R. Smith Let. 23 Dec. in I. Newton Corr. (1977) VII. 29 This Form..extends itself..to this..where d, e, f, g, h, &c. are constant quantitys, z the variable, n any Index, θ any whole number affirmative or negative.

1789 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 79 187 When n is a given quantity, and n − ½ not a whole affirmative number.

1824 Mechanics' Mag. 20 Nov. 139/2 We cannot understand how a quantity is to be subtracted without an affirmative quantity preceding it.

1885 G. W. Usill in H. S. Marrett Pract. Treat. Land & Engin. Surv. (ed. 4) i. 9 In multiplying a logarithm with a negative index by an affirmative number, the product will be negative.

B. n.

a. Something which affirms; an affirmative word, statement, or proposition; an affirmative reply.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > statement > assertion or affirmation > [noun] > an assertion, affirmation, or positive declaration

protestationc1390

affirmationa1425

affirmativec1450

edipolc1450

protestc1460

assertion1531

asseveration1551

narration1554

asseverance1574

protesting1582

pol1600

vouch1610

vouchee1625

averment1659

the mind > language > statement > affirmation and denial > [noun] > affirmative word or proposition

affirmativec1450

the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > other grammatical categories or concepts > [noun] > use of affirmative > affirmative word or form

affirmationa1425

affirmativec1450

yeaword1573

c1450 ( J. Walton tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (Linc. Cathedral 103) 312 And knowen þinges..he [sc. the mind] devideþ be a negatyue And afterwardes be affirmatyue.

1531 tr. E. Fox et al. Determinations Moste Famous Vniuersities v. f. 100 Seing the moral preceptes be commune to al people, and that many of them, specially of the affirmatiues, do apoint neither time, place, nor maner, how to kepe them.

1550 J. Hooper Godly Confession To Rdr. sig. A.iv^v Ther is printed Saynt Paule confesseth, for s. Paule confuteth, an affirmatiue for a negatiue.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) v. i. 20 If your foure negatiues make your two affirmatiues .

1628 E. Coke 1st Pt. Inst. Lawes Eng. i. i. §1 f. 6^v Witnesses cannot testifie a negatiue, but an affirmatiue.

1725 I. Watts Logick ii. ii. §2 In Latin and English two negatives joined in one sentence make an affirmative.

1788 P. Barfoot Candid Rev. Facts Litigation conc. Fareham Quay 71 Notwithstanding Mr. Bargus's present affirmative upon oath to the contrary..he pleaded the consent of Sir William.

1861 ‘G. Eliot’ Silas Marner vi. 88 ‘Well; yes—she might,’ said the butcher, slowly, considering that he was giving a decided affirmative. ‘I don't say contrairy.’

1879 J. G. Holland Compl. Poet. Writings 266 His sharpest force and finest rhetoric, Shoring and bracing it on every side With bold assumptions and affirmatives, To blind the eyes of novices.

1932 Amer. Speech 7 338 Your damn tootin', emphatic affirmative.

1991 J. Diski Happily ever After xv. 170 There was a pause while the shock of his affirmative rang in Liam's ears.

2004 D. J. Bennett Logic made Easy iii. 57 It may be that, wherever possible, we translate negatives into affirmatives to more easily process information.

b. Originally and chiefly U.S. In a confirmatory reply (esp. in radio communication), as that's an affirmative: an affirmative response; a ‘yes’. Cf. senses A. 1b, C.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > statement > affirmation and denial > [noun] > affirmative reply

yeac1390

yes1533

affirmative1961

society > communication > broadcasting > [noun] > broadcasting terms

doughnutting1989

affirmative1993

1961 R. Russell Sound xv. 270 ‘Now all that remains is for me to persuade you to join my European tour this spring.’.. ‘That's an affirmative, Andy.’

1981 Rotarian July 9/1 (heading) That's an affirmative, ‘good buddy’.

1993 D. Doyle & J. D. Macdonald Starpilot's Grave iii. i. 246 ‘You guys have all the cargo kicked out?’ ‘That's an affirmative.’

2004 J. R. Garber Whirlwind (2005) 345 I'll give you an affirmative on that.

2012 M. Pogeler Project 642 238 ‘What do we have, twenty-eight minutes till the next image?’ ‘That's an affirmative sir.’

2. With the. The side or position on an issue characterized by assent or affirmation; that which affirms or asserts; Logic the affirmative mode in a proposition (cf. sense A. 3).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > statement > affirmation and denial > [noun] > affirmative word or proposition > affirmative mode in a proposition

affirmative1826

c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn 2605 (MED) Þen were þey in the affirmatyff & wold preve anoon.

1532 T. More Let. Impugnynge J. Fryth in Wks. (1557) 841/1 If he will bydde me proue the affyrmatiue.

1588 A. Fraunce Lawiers Logike i. xi. f. 49^v The affirmative is called the habite, the negative the privation thereof.

1628 E. Coke 1st Pt. Inst. Lawes Eng. 6 b When a tryall is by witnesses, regularly the affirmative ought to be proued by two or three witnesses.

1663 B. Gerbier Counsel to Builders 108 The one will resolve on the affirmative.

1702 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion I. iv. 246 The House being then divided, upon the Passing or Not passing it, it was carried for the Affirmative, by Nine voices, and no more.

1751 M. Flemyng Nature Nerv. Fluid p. xi His summary of the arguments for the affirmative, appeared so pithily drawn up.

1826 R. Whately Elements Logic Index 339 Subcontrary opposition—is between two particulars, the affirmative and the negative.

1876 W. E. Gladstone in Contemp. Rev. June 22 By the Atheist I understand the man who not only holds off, like the sceptic, from the affirmative, but who drives himself, or is driven, to the negative assertion in regard to the whole Unseen, or to the existence of God.

1906 C. E. Hooper Anat. Knowl. i. xiii. 50 The Particular Affirmative has, as its principal forms:—Some X's are Y (e.g., Some plants are sensitive); [etc.].

1951 ABA Jrnl. Dec. 901/1 Frederick Bernays Wiener in a recent article persuasively argued the negative. I assert the affirmative.

2006 Los Angeles Times 8 Apr. b17 The administration's efforts to answer that question have not significantly shifted the responses to the affirmative.

C. int.

Chiefly U.S. Military. In response to a statement or question: ‘yes’, ‘that is correct’. Cf. negative int.Esp. in communication by signals or (later) radio.

ΚΠ

1803 H. Popham Telegr. Signals 9 (table) 4D..affirmative.

1876 G. M. Robeson Gen. Signal Bk. U.S. Navy 37 Affirmative..assent, consent, permission, yes (When this signal is made it means one of the above words, according to circumstances, or permission to do that which has been asked.)

1944 Esquire Oct. 97/2 ‘Have you got jeeps in the field? Over.’ ‘Affirmative. Over’.

1953 J. A. Michener Bridges at Toko-Ri 17 ‘Is his wingman still with him?’ ‘Affirmative.’

1976 T. O'Brien Northern Lights ii. 186 ‘You awake over there?’ ‘Affirmative.’

2007 R. C. White in Star Trek: Next Generation: Sky's Limit 78 Affirmative, Captain. We'll be going in right behind to tend to the wounded.

Phrases

in the affirmative: on the affirmative side of a question or issue; so as to say ‘yes’, affirmatively; frequently in to answer in the affirmative (cf. negative n. 3d).Frequently criticized in usage guides in the 20th cent.: see Webster's Dict. Eng. Usage (1989) 43/1.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > statement > affirmation and denial > [adverb] > as an affirmative answer

in the affirmativec1460

surely1798

uh-huh1853

the mind > language > statement > affirmation and denial > reply affirmatively [verb (intransitive)]

to say yeac1425

yea1598

to answer in the affirmativea1626

c1460 [see sense B. 2].

1577 W. Fulke Two Treat. against Papistes ii. ii. xvii. 451 This is the Papistes creede both in the affirmatiue and in the negatiue.

a1626 A. Wotton Def. against G. Walker's Charge (1641) 56 I doubt not but he would answer in the affirmative, That he hath.

1786 T. Baldwin Airopaidia xxxiv. 155 Having asked aloud who chose to ride, several answered in the Affirmative.

1789 T. Jefferson Let. 5 Aug. in Papers (1958) XV. 334 They decided..the question Whether they should begin by a Declaration of rights, by a great majority in the affirmative.

1841 C. Dickens Barnaby Rudge x. 292 John contented himself with nodding his head in the affirmative.

1883 Law Times 27 Oct. 434/2 The opener having replied, the question was put, and carried in the affirmative.

1928 Cent. Mag. May 78/1 The South, once the great satrapy of Baltimore, would unquestionably answer these questions in the affirmative.

2001 Wasafiri Spring 90/2 Robert Fraser's contention in this thought-provoking book is that these questions can be answered in the affirmative.

Compounds

affirmative action n. originally U.S. action taken to affirm an established policy; spec. active measures taken by an employer, college, etc., to provide opportunities for members of minority groups, women, or other people regarded as having suffered from discrimination.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > business affairs > management methods or systems > [noun] > principles or action discouraging discrimination

affirmative action1834

Sullivan principles1978

society > society and the community > social attitudes > [noun] > integration or egalitarianism > right to employment without discrimination > specific action by employers

affirmative action1935

1834 Reg. Deb. Houses of Congr. II. 785/2 He had said before, this body could not control the operations of Government; it might check affirmative action, but it could not of itself carry through any particular measure.

1895 Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc. 34 304 But the latter right [sc. that of enjoyment of land] is in its nature indeterminate, and can be realized only by the affirmative action of the State.

1935 N.Y. Times 2 July 15/1 If..the Board shall be of the opinion that any person..has engaged or is engaging in any such unfair labor practice, then the Board shall..issue..an order requiring such person..to take such affirmative action, including reinstatement of employees with or without back pay, as will effect the policies of this Act.

1961 J. F. Kennedy in N.Y. Times 7 Mar. 27/3 The contractor will take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that employees are treated, during employment, without regard to their race, creed, color or national origin.

2009 Independent 4 Nov. 5/5 Research from Harvard University in the US showed that affirmative action in taking the brightest youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds has paid dividends.

affirmative flag n. chiefly Nautical (now chiefly historical) a flag used to indicate an affirmative response; (later also) the flag used to represent the letter ‘C’ in the International Code of Signals; cf. negative flag n. at negative adj., adv.², and int. Compounds.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > indication > signalling > visual signalling > flag signalling > [noun] > signal flag

waif1530

waft1562

whiff1693

affirmative flag1796

whift1839

cornet1874

1796 Signal-bk. Ships of War 63 Are they gone into Port, or cruising? Answered by Affirmative Flag if gone into Port.

1803 H. Popham Telegr. Signals 6 Message Understood, the affirmative flag hoisted at the last station and repeated.

1909 Daily Chron. 18 Aug. 7/5 When hoisted above the Affirmative flag, it [sc. the church pennant] tells that the man has been saved.

1948 R. de Kerchove Internat. Maritime Dict. 5/2 Affirmative flag, letter ‘C’ of the International Code of Signals used as a single letter signal. Means ‘Yes’.

1990 R. Sturtivant Brit. Naval Aviation i. 11/2 The pilot made his approach after being given clearance by the Affirmative Flag.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2012; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	affirmative
释义	affirmativeadj.n.int. Brit. /əˈfəːmətɪv/, U.S. /əˈfərmədɪv/ Forms: late Middle English affirmatyf, late Middle English affirmatyff, late Middle English affirmatyue, late Middle English–1500s affyrmatyf, late Middle English–1500s affyrmatyfe, late Middle English– affirmative, 1500s affermatyf, 1500s affirmatyue, 1500s affyrmatiue, 1500s affyrmatyffe, 1500s affyrmatyue, 1500s–1600s affirmatiue, 1600s affermative, 1600s affirmatif; also Scottish pre-1700 affirmativ, pre-1700 affirmitiwe. Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: French affirmatif; Latin affirmativus. Etymology: < (i) Anglo-Norman affirmative, affermatif, Anglo-Norman and Middle French affirmatif (French affirmatif ) asserting that a fact is so, expressing affirmation (13th cent. in Old French); and its etymon (ii) post-classical Latin affirmativus that expresses affirmation or confirmation (from 4th cent. in grammarians; 5th or 6th cent. in a logical context) < classical Latin affirmāt- , past participial stem of affirmāre affirm v. + -īvus -ive suffix. Compare negative adj. With the use as noun compare post-classical Latin affirmativum (neuter) mode in a proposition that expresses agreement (5th or 6th cent.), affirmativa (feminine) affirmation (from 14th cent. in British sources; also in continental sources), Old French afirmative , Anglo-Norman and Middle French, French affirmative affirmative statement or proposition (late 13th cent.; in Anglo-Norman also affermatif , affirmatif ), and also earlier negative n.Compare Old Occitan affirmatiu (c1350), Spanish afirmativo (first half of the 13th cent.), Portuguese afirmativo (14th cent.), Italian affermativo (a1305). A. adj. 1. a. Asserting that a fact is as stated or perceived; declaring what exists; expressing a positive response. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > statement > assertion or affirmation > [adjective] affirmativec1449 affirmant1574 asseveringa1734 ponent1770 asseverating1838 asserting1848 affirm1960 the mind > language > statement > affirmation and denial > [adjective] affirmative1571 c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 506 Summe othere comaundementis ben affirmatyue comaundementis, that is to seie, biddingis that certein deedis be doon. c1475 (c1445) R. Pecock Donet (1921) 181 (MED) Wheþir ech negative trewþe hangiþ vpon affirmative trewþe or affirmative trewþis, must be deferrid for his hardnes. 1535 W. Marshall tr. Marsilius of Padua Def. of Peace xii. f.79^v This nowne precepte then taken actyuely and commenlye: is sayde of the ordynaunce or statute of a prynce or gouernour, aswell an affyrmatyue as negatyue statute. 1571 T. Fortescue tr. P. Mexia Foreste ii. v. f.62 If he gaue affirmatiue aunswere, then should they take eche other by the hande immediatly, in token of assured faith. 1620 Bp. J. Hall Honor Married Clergie i. xxviii. 98 This negatiue charge implies an affirmatiue allowance. 1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan iii. xlii. 290 The ordinary way of distinguishing the Affirmative Votes from the Negatives, was by Holding up of Hands. 1728 E. Chambers Cycl. (at cited word) In Grammar, Authors distinguish Affirmative Particles: Such is, Yes. 1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison I. ii. 5 Now will your Ladyship doubt of an affirmative answer to your second question, Whether Love has listed me in the number of her particular admirers. 1851 H. Spencer Social Statics xxxii. §4 This question seems to claim an affirmative answer. 1865 T. Carlyle Hist. Friedrich II of Prussia VI. xxi. vi. 575 Görtz Junior..after some intense brief deliberation, becomes affirmative. 1924 Cosmopolitan Apr. 69/2 I thoroughly enjoy..the yes-men who hang about the executives and hold their jobs by simply being constantly affirmative. 1962 Amer. Speech 37 230 Foreign visitors to the United States..have learned the proper affirmative and negative responses of yes and no. 2001 N.Y. Times 11 Mar. iv. 5/4 Christopher Knight..assessed qualifications by waiting for an affirmative answer to the question. b. Originally and chiefly U.S. Offering confirmation in response to a statement or question (esp. in radio communication): correct, right. Esp. in that's affirmative. ΚΠ 1956 N.Y. Times 21 June 22/1 Two one two four, that's affirmative. 1971 Newsday 1 Feb. 25/4 Shepherd: ‘I'm sure you're thinking about the possibility of going hard suit, bringing the probe inside and looking at it, as we are.’ Control: ‘That's affirmative.’ 1995 V. Lanier Death in Bloodhound Red v. 49 ‘Rescue One to Base. Do you have projection? Over.’ ‘Base to Rescue One. That is affirmative. Over.’ 2011 S. Brezenoff Burglar who bit Big Apple i. 12 ‘Is this your first time in New York City?’ ‘That's affirmative, officer,’ I replied. The cops laughed. 2. †a. That supports or sustains; strengthening; giving emphasis. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > [adjective] sustaining?c1425 affirmative?1504 supportable1531 upholding1553 supportive1593 supportful1610 underpropping1614 subjunctive1656 buttressing1672 supportative1803 upholdatory1829 sustenant1874 hand-holding1920 ?1504 S. Hawes Example of Vertu sig. ff.iv Dame grace bare vp her trayne Whiche euer to her was affyrmatyue. 1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure xvi. xlix No worldely thyng can be wythout stryfe, For unto pleasure payne is affyrmatyfe. 1580 C. Hollyband Treasurie French Tong Da, for Dea, a word affirmative, as ouy da, yea forsooth. b. Confirmatory, corroborative; spec. (of a legal judgment) that upholds or supports a decision by a lower court. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > [adjective] > serving to support or confirm cited?1555 justificative1611 confirmatory1636 confirmative1641 argumentative1642 confirming1661 affirmative1702 supporting1763 supportive1771 justificatory1779 1702 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion I. ii. 106 He receiv'd the affirmative Advice of all the Judges of England. 1796 Monthly Rev. June 137 As to the five books attributed to Moses,..Mr. P. is not justified in saying that there is no affirmative evidence of Moses being the author. 1845 Law Times 5 158/3 Whether the Vice-Chancellor of England's decision be upheld or not, the havoc which will be made in existing settlements by an affirmative judgment will be altogether irreparable. 1891 J. B. Grinnell Men & Events of Forty Years viii. 126 It was a bitter contest up to the affirmative decision of its legality by the supreme court. 1921 Amer. Jrnl. Surg. 35 253/2 Their [sc. giant cells'] presence..cannot be affirmative of tumor growth. 1995 Amer. Econ. Rev. 85 282/1 That these households are somewhat more likely to save the transitory income provides a modicum of affirmative support for the hypothesis. 2005 B. Krishnamoorthy Environmental Managem. p. ix The Supreme Court of India's recent affirmative judgement requiring the Cola Companies to specify the level of pesticide content in their bottled aerated drinks. c. Originally U.S. Positive, beneficial, life-enhancing. In later use: spec. that offers or provides support, help, or encouragement. ΚΠ 1862 R. W. Emerson Thoreau in Atlantic Monthly Aug. 247/1 Thoreau was sincerity itself, and might fortify the convictions of prophets in the ethical laws by his holy living. It was an affirmative experience which refused to be set aside. 1906 Sewanee Rev. 14 70 A man's life is not the sum of his self denials but the sum of his affirmative experiences, and the more points at which he with wisdom and temperance touches and enjoys the world the more he lives. 1951 Bull. Amer. Assoc. University Professors 37 20 The rôle of the college teachers today..needs no apology, however much we may wish and hope that more positive and affirmative influences might be emanating from it. 1963 Art Educ. 16 vi. 14/2 I try to help them [sc. boys and girls] through my teaching to become responsible people with sensitivity and a sense of discrimination. I believe in the positive and affirmative approach. 1999 K. B. Hackstaff Marriage in Culture of Divorce iii. 57 Divorce is less destructive than marital conflict and may even be an affirmative act—serving as a gateway to a more fulfilling life. 2011 E. A. Dragowski et al. in A. Bursztyn Childhood Psychol. Disorders x. 183 Parents may choose to educate themselves and others to be accepting, affirmative, and nonjudgmental of their children and themselves. 3. Logic. Of, relating to, or being a proposition in which the predicate affirms something about the subject, as opposed to negative, conditional, etc. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > philosophy > logic > logical proposition > [adjective] > affirmative affirmative1532 affirmant1574 assertorya1856 assertorial1863 assertorical1870 assertoric1889 predicational1894 1532 T. More Confut. Tyndales Answere ii. p. cxx Yf he turne it from a condycyonall proposycyon in to an affyrmatyue antecedent and consequent: it shall sone be shewed hym that hys consequent were possyble to be false and hys antecedent trewe. 1570 H. Billingsley tr. Euclid Elements Geom. i. f. 17 A proposition vniuersall affirmatiue is most agreable to sciences. 1628 T. Spencer Art of Logick 188 A definition must be vniversall, and affirmatiue. 1717 J. Ozell tr. P. Nicole Logic ii. xvii. 209 The attribute of an affirmative Proposition is affirmed in its whole Comprehension, that is to say, in all its Attributes. 1774 T. Reid Brief Acct. Aristotle's Logic iii. §3, in Ld. Kames Sketches Hist. Man II. iii. 198 There is only one legitimate mode in which an universal affirmative proposition can be proved. 1849 W. Thomson Outl. Laws of Thought (ed. 2) ii. §43. 174 Where a judgment expresses that its two terms agree, it is called Affirmative. 1964 L. H. Kendzierski & F. C. Wade tr. T. de Vio Cajetan Comm. on Being & Essence 152 The diversity between a negative and an affirmative proposition concerning an infinite predicate, when reduplication is present. 2008 N. Hendrickson et al. Rowman & Littlefield Handbk. Crit. Thinking v. 35 A universal affirmative proposition and a particular negative proposition with the same subject and predicate terms are contradictories. †4. Assertive, insistent; dogmatic. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > statement > dogmatic assertion > [adjective] peremptory1575 categoricala1620 pronunciative1619 affirmative1650 thetical1653 categoric1678 round1701 plonking1950 the mind > mental capacity > belief > expressed belief, opinion > extreme opinion, dogmatism > [adjective] high?1535 Arctic1593 magistral1596 forward1608 confident1611 magisterial1635 pragmatic1638 high-flown1640 affirmative1650 thetical1653 positive1658 pragmatical1660 dogmatical1662 dogmatic1681 unargumentative1722 ultra1820 doctrinaire1834 cocksure1842 doctrinary1846 unevidential1853 Doctrinarian1878 pontificating1922 fundamentalist1928 hardcore1951 1650 Bp. J. Taylor Rule & Exercises Holy Living ii. §5. 124 Be not confident and affirmative in an uncertain matter. 1685 tr. J. B. Bossuet Treat. Communion under both Species ii. viii. 281 These affirmative manner of speeches impose upon men: the Pretended Reformers beleive a Minister upon his word, and cannot imagin he dars venture to avouch any thing as not contested. 1739 tr. C. Rollin Anc. Hist. (ed. 2) VI. 64 He at first speaks in an affirmative tone of voice. 1773 Monthly Rev. June 476 Other creeds are content to lay down their several articles in an affirmative manner, without supporting them by argument. †5. Mathematics. Greater than zero; = positive adj. 6. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > number > mathematical number or quantity > [adjective] > prime > positive, negative, or unsigned affirmative?1665 negative1669 negativo-affirmative1728 positive1743 signless1847 signed1871 unsigned1953 ?1665 I. Newton in Corr. (1960) II. 170 The truth of this Prop: appeareth by compareing it with ye two former as also by calculation if ^m/ _n is a whole & affirmative number, or b lesse than a. 1693 E. Halley in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 17 964 Which is affirmative when 2rρ is less than dr − dρ, otherwise negative. 1718 R. Smith Let. 23 Dec. in I. Newton Corr. (1977) VII. 29 This Form..extends itself..to this..where d, e, f, g, h, &c. are constant quantitys, z the variable, n any Index, θ any whole number affirmative or negative. 1789 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 79 187 When n is a given quantity, and n − ½ not a whole affirmative number. 1824 Mechanics' Mag. 20 Nov. 139/2 We cannot understand how a quantity is to be subtracted without an affirmative quantity preceding it. 1885 G. W. Usill in H. S. Marrett Pract. Treat. Land & Engin. Surv. (ed. 4) i. 9 In multiplying a logarithm with a negative index by an affirmative number, the product will be negative. B. n. 1. a. Something which affirms; an affirmative word, statement, or proposition; an affirmative reply. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > statement > assertion or affirmation > [noun] > an assertion, affirmation, or positive declaration protestationc1390 affirmationa1425 affirmativec1450 edipolc1450 protestc1460 assertion1531 asseveration1551 narration1554 asseverance1574 protesting1582 pol1600 vouch1610 vouchee1625 averment1659 the mind > language > statement > affirmation and denial > [noun] > affirmative word or proposition affirmativec1450 the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > other grammatical categories or concepts > [noun] > use of affirmative > affirmative word or form affirmationa1425 affirmativec1450 yeaword1573 c1450 ( J. Walton tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (Linc. Cathedral 103) 312 And knowen þinges..he [sc. the mind] devideþ be a negatyue And afterwardes be affirmatyue. 1531 tr. E. Fox et al. Determinations Moste Famous Vniuersities v. f. 100 Seing the moral preceptes be commune to al people, and that many of them, specially of the affirmatiues, do apoint neither time, place, nor maner, how to kepe them. 1550 J. Hooper Godly Confession To Rdr. sig. A.iv^v Ther is printed Saynt Paule confesseth, for s. Paule confuteth, an affirmatiue for a negatiue. a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) v. i. 20 If your foure negatiues make your two affirmatiues . View more context for this quotation 1628 E. Coke 1st Pt. Inst. Lawes Eng. i. i. §1 f. 6^v Witnesses cannot testifie a negatiue, but an affirmatiue. 1725 I. Watts Logick ii. ii. §2 In Latin and English two negatives joined in one sentence make an affirmative. 1788 P. Barfoot Candid Rev. Facts Litigation conc. Fareham Quay 71 Notwithstanding Mr. Bargus's present affirmative upon oath to the contrary..he pleaded the consent of Sir William. 1861 ‘G. Eliot’ Silas Marner vi. 88 ‘Well; yes—she might,’ said the butcher, slowly, considering that he was giving a decided affirmative. ‘I don't say contrairy.’ 1879 J. G. Holland Compl. Poet. Writings 266 His sharpest force and finest rhetoric, Shoring and bracing it on every side With bold assumptions and affirmatives, To blind the eyes of novices. 1932 Amer. Speech 7 338 Your damn tootin', emphatic affirmative. 1991 J. Diski Happily ever After xv. 170 There was a pause while the shock of his affirmative rang in Liam's ears. 2004 D. J. Bennett Logic made Easy iii. 57 It may be that, wherever possible, we translate negatives into affirmatives to more easily process information. b. Originally and chiefly U.S. In a confirmatory reply (esp. in radio communication), as that's an affirmative: an affirmative response; a ‘yes’. Cf. senses A. 1b, C. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > statement > affirmation and denial > [noun] > affirmative reply yeac1390 yes1533 affirmative1961 society > communication > broadcasting > [noun] > broadcasting terms doughnutting1989 affirmative1993 1961 R. Russell Sound xv. 270 ‘Now all that remains is for me to persuade you to join my European tour this spring.’.. ‘That's an affirmative, Andy.’ 1981 Rotarian July 9/1 (heading) That's an affirmative, ‘good buddy’. 1993 D. Doyle & J. D. Macdonald Starpilot's Grave iii. i. 246 ‘You guys have all the cargo kicked out?’ ‘That's an affirmative.’ 2004 J. R. Garber Whirlwind (2005) 345 I'll give you an affirmative on that. 2012 M. Pogeler Project 642 238 ‘What do we have, twenty-eight minutes till the next image?’ ‘That's an affirmative sir.’ 2. With the. The side or position on an issue characterized by assent or affirmation; that which affirms or asserts; Logic the affirmative mode in a proposition (cf. sense A. 3). ΘΚΠ the mind > language > statement > affirmation and denial > [noun] > affirmative word or proposition > affirmative mode in a proposition affirmative1826 c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn 2605 (MED) Þen were þey in the affirmatyff & wold preve anoon. 1532 T. More Let. Impugnynge J. Fryth in Wks. (1557) 841/1 If he will bydde me proue the affyrmatiue. 1588 A. Fraunce Lawiers Logike i. xi. f. 49^v The affirmative is called the habite, the negative the privation thereof. 1628 E. Coke 1st Pt. Inst. Lawes Eng. 6 b When a tryall is by witnesses, regularly the affirmative ought to be proued by two or three witnesses. 1663 B. Gerbier Counsel to Builders 108 The one will resolve on the affirmative. 1702 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion I. iv. 246 The House being then divided, upon the Passing or Not passing it, it was carried for the Affirmative, by Nine voices, and no more. 1751 M. Flemyng Nature Nerv. Fluid p. xi His summary of the arguments for the affirmative, appeared so pithily drawn up. 1826 R. Whately Elements Logic Index 339 Subcontrary opposition—is between two particulars, the affirmative and the negative. 1876 W. E. Gladstone in Contemp. Rev. June 22 By the Atheist I understand the man who not only holds off, like the sceptic, from the affirmative, but who drives himself, or is driven, to the negative assertion in regard to the whole Unseen, or to the existence of God. 1906 C. E. Hooper Anat. Knowl. i. xiii. 50 The Particular Affirmative has, as its principal forms:—Some X's are Y (e.g., Some plants are sensitive); [etc.]. 1951 ABA Jrnl. Dec. 901/1 Frederick Bernays Wiener in a recent article persuasively argued the negative. I assert the affirmative. 2006 Los Angeles Times 8 Apr. b17 The administration's efforts to answer that question have not significantly shifted the responses to the affirmative. C. int. Chiefly U.S. Military. In response to a statement or question: ‘yes’, ‘that is correct’. Cf. negative int.Esp. in communication by signals or (later) radio. ΚΠ 1803 H. Popham Telegr. Signals 9 (table) 4D..affirmative. 1876 G. M. Robeson Gen. Signal Bk. U.S. Navy 37 Affirmative..assent, consent, permission, yes (When this signal is made it means one of the above words, according to circumstances, or permission to do that which has been asked.) 1944 Esquire Oct. 97/2 ‘Have you got jeeps in the field? Over.’ ‘Affirmative. Over’. 1953 J. A. Michener Bridges at Toko-Ri 17 ‘Is his wingman still with him?’ ‘Affirmative.’ 1976 T. O'Brien Northern Lights ii. 186 ‘You awake over there?’ ‘Affirmative.’ 2007 R. C. White in Star Trek: Next Generation: Sky's Limit 78 Affirmative, Captain. We'll be going in right behind to tend to the wounded. Phrases in the affirmative: on the affirmative side of a question or issue; so as to say ‘yes’, affirmatively; frequently in to answer in the affirmative (cf. negative n. 3d).Frequently criticized in usage guides in the 20th cent.: see Webster's Dict. Eng. Usage (1989) 43/1. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > statement > affirmation and denial > [adverb] > as an affirmative answer in the affirmativec1460 surely1798 uh-huh1853 the mind > language > statement > affirmation and denial > reply affirmatively [verb (intransitive)] to say yeac1425 yea1598 to answer in the affirmativea1626 c1460 [see sense B. 2]. 1577 W. Fulke Two Treat. against Papistes ii. ii. xvii. 451 This is the Papistes creede both in the affirmatiue and in the negatiue. a1626 A. Wotton Def. against G. Walker's Charge (1641) 56 I doubt not but he would answer in the affirmative, That he hath. 1786 T. Baldwin Airopaidia xxxiv. 155 Having asked aloud who chose to ride, several answered in the Affirmative. 1789 T. Jefferson Let. 5 Aug. in Papers (1958) XV. 334 They decided..the question Whether they should begin by a Declaration of rights, by a great majority in the affirmative. 1841 C. Dickens Barnaby Rudge x. 292 John contented himself with nodding his head in the affirmative. 1883 Law Times 27 Oct. 434/2 The opener having replied, the question was put, and carried in the affirmative. 1928 Cent. Mag. May 78/1 The South, once the great satrapy of Baltimore, would unquestionably answer these questions in the affirmative. 2001 Wasafiri Spring 90/2 Robert Fraser's contention in this thought-provoking book is that these questions can be answered in the affirmative. Compounds affirmative action n. originally U.S. action taken to affirm an established policy; spec. active measures taken by an employer, college, etc., to provide opportunities for members of minority groups, women, or other people regarded as having suffered from discrimination. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > business affairs > management methods or systems > [noun] > principles or action discouraging discrimination affirmative action1834 Sullivan principles1978 society > society and the community > social attitudes > [noun] > integration or egalitarianism > right to employment without discrimination > specific action by employers affirmative action1935 1834 Reg. Deb. Houses of Congr. II. 785/2 He had said before, this body could not control the operations of Government; it might check affirmative action, but it could not of itself carry through any particular measure. 1895 Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc. 34 304 But the latter right [sc. that of enjoyment of land] is in its nature indeterminate, and can be realized only by the affirmative action of the State. 1935 N.Y. Times 2 July 15/1 If..the Board shall be of the opinion that any person..has engaged or is engaging in any such unfair labor practice, then the Board shall..issue..an order requiring such person..to take such affirmative action, including reinstatement of employees with or without back pay, as will effect the policies of this Act. 1961 J. F. Kennedy in N.Y. Times 7 Mar. 27/3 The contractor will take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that employees are treated, during employment, without regard to their race, creed, color or national origin. 2009 Independent 4 Nov. 5/5 Research from Harvard University in the US showed that affirmative action in taking the brightest youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds has paid dividends. affirmative flag n. chiefly Nautical (now chiefly historical) a flag used to indicate an affirmative response; (later also) the flag used to represent the letter ‘C’ in the International Code of Signals; cf. negative flag n. at negative adj., adv.², and int. Compounds. ΘΚΠ society > communication > indication > signalling > visual signalling > flag signalling > [noun] > signal flag waif1530 waft1562 whiff1693 affirmative flag1796 whift1839 cornet1874 1796 Signal-bk. Ships of War 63 Are they gone into Port, or cruising? Answered by Affirmative Flag if gone into Port. 1803 H. Popham Telegr. Signals 6 Message Understood, the affirmative flag hoisted at the last station and repeated. 1909 Daily Chron. 18 Aug. 7/5 When hoisted above the Affirmative flag, it [sc. the church pennant] tells that the man has been saved. 1948 R. de Kerchove Internat. Maritime Dict. 5/2 Affirmative flag, letter ‘C’ of the International Code of Signals used as a single letter signal. Means ‘Yes’. 1990 R. Sturtivant Brit. Naval Aviation i. 11/2 The pilot made his approach after being given clearance by the Affirmative Flag. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2012; most recently modified version published online June 2022). affirmativev. Brit. /əˈfəːmətɪv/, U.S. /əˈfərmədɪv/ Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: affirmative adj. Etymology: < affirmative adj. Compare earlier negative v. Now rare. transitive. To carry (a proposal, motion, etc.); to agree to, support (a suggestion or remark); to reply in the affirmative. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > statement > assent > [verb (transitive)] cordc1380 to give handsa1425 to fall to ——a1450 agree1472 to go into ——1540 astipulate1548 subscribe1560 seal1579 suffragate1606 give1621 assent1637 homologate1644 to take up with1673 affirmative1775 chorus1836 yea-say1887 yes1915 1775 London Evening Post 14 Nov. The Duke of Grafton, moved, fourthly, ‘That an estimate of the forces now in Great-Britain and Ireland, be laid before the House’. Affirmatived without a division. 1785 Refut. Case C. Atkinson 97 If those propositions can be affirmatived, the punishment of Mr. Atkinson has been duly inflicted. 1861 G. Meredith Evan Harrington III. xii. 203 Andrew again affirmatived his senior's remarks. 1912 20th Cent. Mag. 89/1 The United Constitution Committee has agreed to submit the Liquor Question..in such a form that if affirmatived, the Liquor Interests will be satisfied, and if negatived, they will still be satisfied. 2007 P. Khakpour Sons & Other Flammable Objects ii. 72 The auto-programmed robot that played questions back in statement form, that only affirmatived or negatived. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2012; most recently modified version published online December 2021). † affirmativeadv. Forms: pre-1700 affirmatiue, pre-1700 1700s–1800s affirmative. Origin: A borrowing from Latin. Etymon: Latin affirmative. Etymology: < post-classical Latin affirmative affirmatively, in the affirmative (5th or 6th cent. in grammatical and logical contexts) < affirmativus affirmative adj. + classical Latin -ē , suffix forming adverbs. Compare earlier affirmatively adv. Scots Law. Obsolete. Affirmatively; on the affirmative side. Contrasted with negative adv.¹ ΘΚΠ the mind > language > statement > affirmation and denial > [adverb] affirmativelya1450 affirmativea1513 a1513 J. Irland Meroure of Wyssdome (1926) I. 23 J ansuere to that affirmatiue. 1621 D. Lindsay True Narration Proc. Gen. Assembly Church Scotl. 91 Not onely were some past by, who were knowne resolued to vote negatiue: but diuers others also disposed to vote affirmatiue, were admitted. 1703 W. Forbes Methodical Treat. Bills of Exchange v. 86 He being condescended on, and having deponed Affirmative. 1844 in H. Barclay Digest Law Scotl. (1880) 64 The judge, on the assumption that she will swear affirmative of her libel, is satisfied that her evidence..would..amount to a complete or satisfactory proof. This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, September 2012; most recently modified version published online March 2021). < adj.n.int.c1449v.1775adv.a1513
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affirmativeadj.n.int.

Phrases

Compounds

affirmativev.

† affirmativeadv.