Position

• POS: Noun, Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: po=si=tion

CIDE DICTIONARY

Position, n. [F. position, L. positio, fr. ponere, positum, to put, place; prob. for posino, fr. an old preposition used only in comp. (akin to Gr. ) + sinere to leave, let, permit, place. See Site, and cf. Composite, Compound, v., Depone, Deposit, Expound, Impostor, Opposite, Propound, Pose, v., Posit, Post, n.].

•  The state of being posited, or placed; the manner in which anything is placed; attitude; condition; as, a firm, an inclined, or an upright position.  [1913 Webster]

  "We have different prospects of the same thing, according to our different positions to it."  [1913 Webster]
•  The spot where a person or thing is placed or takes a place; site; place; station; situation; as, the position of man in creation; the fleet changed its position.  [1913 Webster]
•  Hence: The ground which any one takes in an argument or controversy; the point of view from which any one proceeds to a discussion; also, a principle laid down as the basis of reasoning; a proposition; a thesis; as, to define one's position; to appear in a false position.  [1913 Webster]

  "Let not the proof of any position depend on the positions that follow, but always on those which go before."  [1913 Webster]
•  Relative place or standing; social or official rank; as, a person of position; hence, office; post; as, to lose one's position.  [1913 Webster]
•  A method of solving a problem by one or two suppositions; -- called also the rule of trial and error.  [1913 Webster]

Angle of position (Astron.), the angle which any line (as that joining two stars) makes with another fixed line, specifically with a circle of declination. -- Double position (Arith.), the method of solving problems by proceeding with each of two assumed numbers, according to the conditions of the problem, and by comparing the difference of the results with those of the numbers, deducing the correction to be applied to one of them to obtain the true result. -- Guns of position (Mil.), heavy fieldpieces, not designed for quick movements. -- Position finder (Mil.), a range finder. See under Range. -- Position micrometer, a micrometer applied to the tube of an astronomical telescope for measuring angles of position in the field of view. -- Single position (Arith.), the method of solving problems, in which the result obtained by operating with an assumed number is to the true result as the number assumed is to the number required. -- Strategic position (Mil.), a position taken up by an army or a large detachment of troops for the purpose of checking or observing an opposing force.

Syn. -- Situation; station; place; condition; attitude; posture; proposition; assertion; thesis.

Position, v. t. 

 To indicate the position of; to place.  Encyc. Brit.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Position, n. & v.
--n.
1 a place occupied by a person or thing.
2 the way in which a thing or its parts are placed or arranged (sitting in an uncomfortable position).
3 the proper place (in position).
4 the state of being advantageously placed (jockeying for position).
5 a person's mental attitude; a way of looking at a question (changed their position on nuclear disarmament).
6 a person's situation in relation to others (puts one in an awkward position).
7 rank or status; high social standing.
8 paid employment.
9 a place where troops etc. are posted for strategical purposes (the position was stormed).
10 the configuration of chessmen etc. during a game.
11 a specific pose in ballet etc. (hold first position).
12 Logic a a proposition. b a statement of proposition.
--v.tr. place in position.

Idiom

in a position to enabled by circumstances, resources, information, etc. to (do, state, etc.). position paper orig. US (in business etc.) a written report of attitude or intentions. position vector Math. a vector which determines the position of a point.

Derivative

positional adj. positionally adv. positioner n.

Etymology

ME f. OF position or L positio -onis (as POSIT)

THESAURUS

Position

Anschauung, Parthian shot, a priori principle, abode, address, affect, affectivity, affirmance, affirmation, allegation, allocate, angle, angle of vision, announcement, annunciation, answer, apostrophe, appointment, apriorism, area, arrange, arrangement, aspect, assertion, asseveration, assign, assumed position, assumption, attitude, autarky, averment, avouchment, avowal, axiom, azimuth, basis, bearing, bearings, belief, bench mark, bent, berth, billet, bimetallism, blood, bracket, branch, cachet, capacity, case, caste, categorical proposition, category, celestial navigation, character, circumstance, circumstances, clan, class, climate of opinion, collocate, color, comment, common belief, community sentiment, conceit, concept, conception, conclusion, condition, connection, consensus gentium, consequence, consideration, contention, crack, creed, data, dead reckoning, declaration, deploy, determine, dictum, dignity, disposal, dispose, disposition, district, division, duty, echelon, economic self-sufficiency, emotion, emotivity, emplace, emplacement, employment, engagement, enunciation, establish, estate, estimate, estimation, ethos, exclamation, exposure, expression, eye, face, feeling, feeling tone, first principles, fix, footing, foundation, frame of reference, framework, free enterprise, free trade, frontage, function, general belief, get a fix, gig, governmentalism, grade, greeting, ground, group, grouping, head, heading, hierarchy, high place, hole, home in on, hypothesis, hypothesis ad hoc, idea, importance, impression, inclination, incumbency, install, interjection, ipse dixit, jam, job, judgment, kin, kudos, label, laissez-faire, laissez-faireism, latitude and longitude, lay, leaning, lemma, level, lie, lieu, light, lights, line, line of position, locale, localism, locality, localize, locate, location, locus, lot, major premise, managed currency, manifesto, mental attitude, mental outlook, mention, mind, minor premise, modality, mode, moonlighting, mystique, navigate, noninterference, nonintervention, note, notion, nullification, observation, occupation, office, opening, opinion, order, orientation, outlook, part, party line, party principle, pass, personal judgment, philosopheme, philosophical proposition, phrase, pickle, pigeonhole, pilotage, pin down, pinpoint, place, placement, placing, planned economy, plight, point, point of view, policy, polity, popular belief, pose, position, position line, position paper, positive declaration, post, postulate, postulation, postulatum, posture, power structure, precedence, predicament, predicate, predication, premise, prestige, presumption, presupposition, prevailing belief, price supports, principle, proclamation, profession, pronouncement, proposition, propositional function, protection, protectionism, protest, protestation, province, psychology, public belief, public opinion, public policy, pump-priming, put, put in place, quality, question, race, radio bearing, rank, rate, rating, reaction, reference system, reflection, regard, region, relation, remark, respect, role, rubric, say, say-so, saying, second job, section, sectionalism, sentence, sentiment, sept, service, set, settle, side, sight, site, situate, situation, situs, slant, sphere, spot, stage, stance, stand, standing, standpoint, state, statement, station, stature, status, stead, strain, stratum, subdivision, subgroup, subjoinder, suborder, sumption, supposal, system, tenure, theorem, theory, thesis, thinking, thought, title, triangulate, truth table, truth-function, truth-value, universe, utterance, vacancy, view, viewpoint, vouch, way of thinking, where, whereabout, whereabouts, word, zero in on

ROGET THESAURUS

Position

Circumstance

N circumstance, situation, phase, position, posture, attitude, place, point, terms, regime, footing, standing, status, occasion, juncture, conjunctive, contingency, predicament, emergence, emergency, exigency, crisis, pinch, pass, push, occurrence, turning point, bearings, how the land lies, surroundings, context, environment, location, contingency, dependence (uncertainty), causation, attribution, circumstantial, given, conditional, provisional, critical, modal, contingent, incidental, adventitious, limitative, in the circumstances, under the circumstances, the circumstances, conditions, thus, in such wise, accordingly, that being the case, such being the case, in view of the circumstances, that being so, sith, since, seeing that, as matters stand, as things go, as times go, conditionally, provided, if, in case, if so, if so be, if it be so, depending on circumstances, in certain circumstances, under certain conditions, if it so happen, if it so turn out, in the event of, in such a contingency, in such a case, in such an event, provisionally, unless, without, according to circumstances, according to the occasion, as it may happen, as it may turn out, as it may be, as the case may be, as the wind blows, pro re nata, yet are my sins not those of circumstance.

Term

N term, rank, station, stage, step, degree, scale, remove, grade, link, peg, round of the ladder, status, position, place, point, mark, pas, period, pitch, stand, standing, footing, range.

Politics

N politics, political science, candidacy, campaign, campaigning, electioneering, partisanship, ideology, factionalism, election, poll, ballot, vote, referendum, recall, initiative, voice, suffrage, plumper, cumulative vote, plebiscitum, plebiscite, vox populi, electioneering, voting, elective franchise, straight ticket, opinion poll, popularity poll, issue, opinion, stand, position, program, platform, party line, democracy, republicanism, communism, statism, state socialism, socialism, conservatism, toryism, liberalism, whigism, theocracy, constitutional monarchy, party, Democratic Party, Republican Party, Socialist Party, Communist Party, Federalist Party, Bull Moose Party, Abolitionist Party, Christian Democratic Party, Social Democratic Party, National Socialist Worker's Party, Nazi Party, Liberal Party, Labor Party, Conservative Party, ticket, slate, politician activist, candidate, aspirant, hopeful, office-seeker, front- runner, dark horse, long shot, shoo-in, supporter, backer, political worker, campaign worker, lobbyist, contributor, party hack, ward heeler, regional candidate, favorite son, running mate, stalking horse, perpetual candidate, political animal, political contribution, campaign contribution, political action committee, PAC, political district, electoral division, electoral district, bailiwick, electorate, constituents, get-out-the-vote campaign, political education, negative campaigning, dirty politics, smear campaign, also-ran, loser, has-been, office holder, official, occupant of a position, public servant, incumbent, winner, political, partisan, Money is the mother's milk of politics.

Situation

N situation, position, locality, locale, status, latitude and longitude, footing, standing, standpoint, post, stage, aspect, attitude, posture, pose, environment, surroundings (location), circumjacence, place, site, station, seat, venue, whereabouts, ground, bearings, spot, topography, geography, chorography, map, situate, situated, local, topical, topographical, in situ, in loco, here and there, passim, hereabouts, thereabouts, whereabouts, in place, here, there, in such and such surroundings, in such and such environs, in such and such entourage, amidst such and such surroundings, amidst such and such environs, amidst such and such entourage.

Repute

N repute, distinction, mark, name, figure, repute, reputation, good repute, high repute, note, notability, notoriety, eclat, the bubble reputation, vogue, celebrity, fame, famousness, renown, popularity, aura popularis, approbation, credit, succes d'estime, prestige, talk of the town, name to conjure with, glory, honor, luster, illustriousness, account, regard, respect, reputableness, respectability, good name, good report, fair name, dignity, stateliness, solemnity, grandeur, splendor, nobility, majesty, sublimity, rank, standing, brevet rank, precedence, pas, station, place, status, position, position in society, order, degree, baccalaureate, locus standi, caste, condition, greatness, eminence, height, importance, preeminence, supereminence, high mightiness, primacy, top of the ladder, top of the tree, elevation, ascent, superaltation, exaltation, dignification, aggrandizement, dedication, consecration, enthronement, canonization, celebration, enshrinement, glorification, hero, man of mark, great card, celebrity, worthy, lion, rara avis, notability, somebody, classman, man of rank, pillar of the state, pillar of the church, pillar of the community, chief, first fiddle, cynosure, mirror, flower, pink, pearl, paragon, choice and master spirits of the age, elite, star, sun, constellation, galaxy, ornament, honor, feather in one's cap, halo, aureole, nimbus, halo of glory, blaze of glory, blushing honors, laurels, memory, posthumous fame, niche in the temple of fame, immortality, immortal name, magni nominis umbra, distinguished, distingue, noted, of note, honored, popular, fashionable, in good odor in, favor, in high favor, reputable, respectable, creditable, remarkable, notable, notorious, celebrated, renowned, ion every one's mouth, talked of, famous, famed, far-famed, conspicuous, to the front, foremost, in the front rank, in the ascendant, imperishable, deathless, immortal, never fading, aere perennius, time honored, illustrious, glorious, splendid, brilliant, radiant, bright, full-blown, honorific, eminent, prominent, high, in the zenith, at the head of, at the top of the tree, peerless, of the first water, superior, supereminent, preeminent, great, dignified, proud, noble, honorable, worshipful, lordly, grand, stately, august, princely, imposing, solemn, transcendent, majestic, sacred, sublime, heaven- born, heroic, sans peur et sans reproche, sacrosanct, Int, hail!, all hail!, ave!, viva!, vive!, long life to!, banzai!, glory be to, honor be to?, one's name being in every mouth, one's name living for ever, sic itur ad astra, fama volat, aut Caesar aut nullus, not to know him argues oneself unknown, none but himself could be his parallel, palmam qui meruit ferat, above all Greek above all Roman fame, cineri gloria sera est, great is the glory for the strife is hard, honor virtutis praemium, immensum gloria calcar habet, the glory dies not and the grief is past, vivit post funera virtus.

Supposition

N supposition, assumption, assumed position, postulation, condition, presupposition, hypothesis, blue sky hypothesis, postulate, postulatum, theory, thesis, theorem, data, proposition, position, proposal, presumption, divination, conjecture, guess, guesswork, speculation, rough guess, shot, shot in the dark, conjecturality, surmise, suspicion, sneaking suspicion, estimate, approximation (nearness), inkling, suggestion, hint, intimation, notion, impression, bare supposition, vague supposition, loose supposition, loose suggestion, association of ideas, (analogy), metonym, metonymy, simile (metaphor), conceit, idea, thought, original idea, invention (imagination), supposing, given, mooted, postulatory, assumed, supposititious, suppositive, suppositious, gratuitous, speculative, conjectural, hypothetical, theoretical, academic, supposable, presumptive, putative, suppositional, suggestive, allusive, if, if so be, an, on the supposition, ex hypothesi, in the case, in the event of, quasi, as if, provided, perhaps, for aught one knows.

Affirmation

N affirmance, affirmation, statement, allegation, assertion, predication, declaration, word, averment, confirmation, asseveration, adjuration, swearing, oath, affidavit, deposition, avouchment, assurance, protest, protestation, profession, acknowledgment, legal pledge, pronouncement, solemn averment, solemn avowal, solemn declaration, remark, observation, position, saying, dictum, sentence, ipse dixit, emphasis, weight, dogmatism, dogmatics, asserting, declaratory, predicatory, pronunciative, affirmative, soi-disant, positive, certain, express, explicit, absolute, emphatic, flat, broad, round, pointed, marked, distinct, decided, confident, trenchant, dogmatic, definitive, formal, solemn, categorical, peremptory, unretracted, predicable, affirmatively, in the affirmative, with emphasis, ex-cathedra, without fear of contradiction, as God is my witness, I must say, indeed, i' faith, let me tell you, why, give me leave to say, marry, you may be sure, I'd have you to know, upon my word, upon my honor, by my troth, egad, I assure you, by jingo, by Jove, by George, troth, seriously, sadly, in sadness, in sober sadness, in truth, in earnest, of a truth, truly, perdy, in all conscience, upon oath, be assured, yes, I'll warrant, I'll warrant you, I'll engage, I'll answer for it, I'll be bound, I'll venture to say, I'll take my oath, in fact, forsooth, joking apart, so help me God, not to mince the matter, quoth he, dixi.