adv. [f. prec. + -LY2.] In an affirmative manner.
1. By way of assertion or express declaration.
1533. More, Apol., xlviii. Wks. 1557, 924/2. He did but speake it affirmatively, and wil not holde it opinatiuely.
1612. T. Taylor, Titus ii. 10 (1619), 431. The Apostle extendeth the former precept, and in this forme of words affirmatiuely propoundeth it.
1860. Massey, Hist. Eng., III. xxx. 362. That the right of Parliament to provide for the exigency … should be affirmatively stated.
2. In the affirmative mood, so as to assert that a disputed or doubtful thing is; opposed to negatively.
1491. Caxton, How to Die, 11. Who someuer shall mowe affyrmatyfly ansuere to these askynges.
1570. Billingsley, Euclid, I. vii. 17. Sciences vsing demonstration, conclude affirmatiuely.
1639. Rouse, Heav. Univ., i. (1702), 6. And they had answer’d him affirmatively.
1794. Sullivan, View of Nat., I. 429. The question, I confess, is difficult, however affirmatively it may have been determined by philosophers.
1840. Carlyle, Heroes, iv. 239. The people answered affirmatively.
† 3. Math. Positively, as a positive quantity. Obs.
1789. Waring, in Phil. Trans., LXXIX. 174. The co-efficients are to be taken affirmatively, or negatively, according as s is an even or odd number.
