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2 definitions found
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 :   [ gcide ]

  Position \Po*si"tion\, 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.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. 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. --Locke.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. 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]
  
     3. 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.                               --I. Watts.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. Relative place or standing; social or official rank; as, a
        person of position; hence, office; post; as, to lose one's
        position.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     5. (Arith.) 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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Syn: Situation; station; place; condition; attitude; posture;
          proposition; assertion; thesis.
          [1913 Webster]

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) :   [ web1913 ]

  Position \Po*si"tion\, 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.]
     1. 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.
  
              We have different prospects of the same thing,
              according to our different positions to it. --Locke.
  
     2. 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.
  
     3. 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.
  
              Let not the proof of any position depend on the
              positions that follow, but always on those which go
              before.                               --I. Watts.
  
     4. Relative place or standing; social or official rank; as, a
        person of position; hence, office; post; as, to lose one's
        position.
  
     5. (Arith.) A method of solving a problem by one or two
        suppositions; -- called also the rule of trial and
        error.
  
     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.

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