negative

negative
{{11}}negative (adj.) c.1400, "expressing denial," from O.Fr. negatif (13c.) and directly from L. negativus "that which denies," from negat-, pp. stem of negare "deny, say no" (see DENY (Cf. deny)). Meaning "expressing negation" is from c.1500; that of "characterized by absence" is from 1560s. Algebraic sense is from 1670s. The electricity sense is from 1755.
Negative Capability, that is when a man is capable of being in uncertainties, Mysteries, doubts without any irritable reaching after fact and reason. [John Keats, letter, Dec. 21, 1817]
Related: Negatively.
{{12}}negative (n.) late 14c., "a prohibition; absence, nonexistence; opposite," from O.Fr. negatif and directly from L. negativus (see NEGATIVE (Cf. negative) (adj.)). Meaning "a negative statement" is from 1560s. As a response, "I refuse, disagree, no," from 1945. Meaning "a negative quality" is from 1640s. In mathematics, "a negative number," from 1706. Photographic sense first recorded 1853.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Negative — may refer to: Contents 1 Science and mathematics 2 Photography 3 Linguistics …   Wikipedia

  • negative — neg‧a‧tive [ˈnegətɪv] adjective 1. bad or harmful: • The Bank s refusal to cut interest rates is having a negative effect on the economy. 2. saying or meaning no : • a negative response 3. considering only the bad qualities of a situation, person …   Financial and business terms

  • negative — [neg′ə tiv] adj. [ME negatife < OFr or L: OFr négatif < L negativus < negatus: see NEGATION] 1. containing, expressing, or implying a denial or refusal; that says “no” [a negative reply] 2. opposite to something regarded as positive;… …   English World dictionary

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  • Negative — Neg a*tive (n[e^]g [.a]*t[i^]v), n. [Cf. F. n[ e]gative.] 1. A proposition by which something is denied or forbidden; a conception or term formed by prefixing the negative particle to one which is positive; an opposite or contradictory term or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • négative — ● négative nom féminin Énoncé par lequel on refuse quelque chose, on soutient qu une chose est fausse, on persiste dans un refus : Répondre par la négative. ● négative (expressions) nom féminin Dans la négative, dans le cas d un refus. ● négatif …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Negative — Negative …   Википедия

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