negative

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
negative/ˈneɡətɪv/

▶adjective

• 1 consisting in or characterized by the absence rather than the presence of something.

  ■ expressing or implying denial, disagreement, or refusal.

  ■ [often in combination] not having a specified substance or condition: HIV-negative.

  ■ Grammar & Logic stating that something is not the case.

  Contrasted with affirmative and interrogative.

  ■ [as exclam.] (especially in a military context) no.

• 2 undesirable or unwelcome.

  ■ pessimistic or discouraging.

• 3 (of a quantity) less than zero.

• 4 containing, producing, or denoting the kind of electric charge carried by electrons.

• 5 (of a photographic image) showing light and shade or colours reversed from those of the original.

• 6 Brit. relating to or denoting proposed legislation which will come into force after a specified period unless explicitly rejected in a parliamentary vote.

▶noun

• 1 a word or statement expressing denial, refusal, or negation.

  ■ a bad or unwelcome quality or aspect.

• 2 a negative photographic image from which positive prints may be made.

▶verb

• 1 reject, veto, or contradict.

• 2 render ineffective; neutralize.

– derivatives
negatively adverb,
negativeness noun,
negativism noun,
negativist noun & adjective,
negativistic adjective,
negativity noun.

– origin ME: from late L. negativus, from negare (see negate).