affirmative meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

affirmative

adj

UK /əˈfɜːmətɪv/ · US /əˈfɝməɾɪv/

Etymology From Middle English affirmative, affirmatyve, from Old French affirmatif, from Latin affirmativus, from affirmare (“to assert”).

7 senses

pertaining to truth; asserting that something is; affirming

pertaining to any assertion or active confirmation that favors a particular result

positive

Confirmative; ratifying.

Dogmatic.

Lyſicles vvas a little diſconcerted by the affirmative air of Crito; but after a ſhort pauſe replied briskly, […]1732, George Berkeley, “The Second Dialogue”, in Alciphron: Or, The Minute Philosopher. […], volume I, London: […] J[acob] Tonson […], →OCLC, section IX, page 92:

Human sciences, Logic, Mathematics, Philosophy, Sciences Expressing the agreement of the two terms of a proposition.

Algebra, Mathematics, Sciences positive; not negative

Derived terms: affirmative action, affirmative defense, affirmatively, affirmativeness, affirmative pregnant, affirmative resolution, affirmative waste, affirmativism, affirmativist, affirmativity, apefirmative action, disaffirmative, nonaffirmative, trans-affirmative

noun

Etymology From Middle English affirmative, affirmatyve, from Old French affirmatif, from Latin affirmativus, from affirmare (“to assert”).

Yes; an answer that shows agreement or acceptance.

That’s an affirmative Houston, the space shuttle has lost the secondary thrusters.
10-4 good buddy. That’s an affirmative—the tractor trailer is in the ditch at the side of the highway.

Grammar, Human sciences, Linguistics, Sciences An answer that shows agreement or acceptance.

Obsolete An assertion.

that every hare is both male and female, beside the vulgar opinion, was the affirmative of Archelaus, of Plutarch, Philostratus, and many more.1646, Sir Thomas Browne, Pseudodoxia Epidemica, III.17:

intj

Etymology From Middle English affirmative, affirmatyve, from Old French affirmatif, from Latin affirmativus, from affirmare (“to assert”).

Yes.

Broadcasting, Government, Media, Military, Politics, Radio, Radio communications, War Especially Yes; true; correct.

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.