In a way that is definite, certain, or affirmative; showing a confident or optimistic attitude.
From 'positive,' derived from Latin 'positivus' meaning 'settled' or 'fixed,' from 'ponere' meaning 'to place or put.' The -ly suffix converts it to an adverb indicating manner.
The word 'positive' comes from the idea of something being 'placed' or 'fixed'—like when you place a stake firmly in the ground—so it literally means something certain and unmovable, which is why we use it for definite statements!
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