The Collaborative International Dictionary
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.]
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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. 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.
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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. Relative place or standing; social or official rank; as, a person of position; hence, office; post; as, to lose one's position.
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(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.
Usage examples of "strategic position".
Before they will be able to challenge us, our strategic position will have improved to the point where they will have to accept our position and then treat with us as equals.
Korea and Japan were keys to our strategic position in the Far East.
He had failed to occupy Dorchester Heights, an unmistakably strategic position commanding the town, and when, after months of waiting, the Americans put guns on them, he had evacuated Boston, leaving behind a valuable stockpile of military stores.
South of New York the strategic position eventually became the Chesapeake Bay, with positions in Mary.
It was more than a strategic position now, it was another invaluable symbol of defiance.
They all stared at him, speechlessly wondering how the Synod could not so regard itself in the face of its disastrous strategic position.
I stepped quickly inside the shop: but not in Maggie's direction, whatever else happened I didn't want those two to see me talking to her: instead I took up a strategic position behind a tall revolving stand of picture-postcards and waited for Herta and Trudi to pass by.
The strategic position where the operations would take place was familiar in all its details to the Austrian General Weyrother: a lucky accident had ordained that the Austrian army should maneuver the previous year on the very fields where the French had now to be fought.
But India's strategic position is so exposed, and China's relentlessness in conquest is so well known, that you must know both courses of action are futile.
The loss of life involved is more than just painful, but our casualties might have been far heavier, and our strategic position remains unchanged.
The loss of life involved is more than just painful, but our casualties might have been for heavier, and our strategic position remains unchanged.
And a balance of power, their bioweapons against our Behemoth, would have meant the advantage of numbers and strategic position was still with the Empire.
Even if the base and planet survived the immediate crisis intact, it was in too important a strategic position for Starfleet to give it up.