c. 1400, "expressing denial," from Old French negatif (13c.) and directly from Latin negativus "that which denies," from negat-, past participle stem of negare "deny, say no" (see 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.
negative (n.)
late 14c., "a prohibition; absence, nonexistence; opposite," from Old French negatif and directly from Latin negativus (see 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.
实用例句
1. So far 57 have taken the test and all have been negative.
到目前为止，参加测试的有57人，测试结果均呈阴性。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Seventy-nine voted in the affirmative, and none in the negative.
79人投赞成票，没有人投反对票。
来自柯林斯例句
3. Stimulate the site of greatest pain with a small negative current.
以微弱负电流刺激疼得最厉害的部位。
来自柯林斯例句
4. The weakest students can end up with a negative score.
最差的学生可能会以负分收场。
来自柯林斯例句
5. It's just one of those words that's got so many negative connotations.
