Search the Dictionary

positive; absolute; decisive; conclusive; final. Think of heaven with hearty purposes and peremptory designs to get thither. Jer. Taylor.

Authoritative; peremptory. [R.] The peddler stopped, and tapped her on the head, With absolute forefinger, brown and ringed. Mrs. Browning.

Positive; affirming confidently; affirmative; peremptory. In a confident and assertive form. Glanvill. As*sert"ive*ly, adv. -- As*sert"ive*ness, n.

Having an air of authority; positive; dictatorial; peremptory; as, an authoritative tone. The mock authoritative manner of the one, and the insipid mirth of the other. Swift. -- Au*thor"i*ta*tive*ly, adv -- Au*thor"i*ta*tive*ness, n.

o the polls, an exception taken to any one or more of the individual jurors returned. -- Peremptory challenge, a privilege sometimes allowed to defendants, of challenging a certain number of jurors (fixed by statute in different States) without assigning any cause. -- Principal challenge, that which the law allows to…

To inquire authoritatively or earnestly; to ask, esp. in a peremptory manner; to question. I did demand what news from Shrewsbury. Shak.

e king's subjects as much as they would willingly give, . . . had not to complain of many peremptory denials. Hallam.

Doubt-dispelling; decisive. [R.] A kind of peremptory and discussive voice. Hopkins.

Clear; unmistakable; peremptory; absolute; positive; downright. Flat burglary as ever was committed. Shak. A great tobacco taker too, -- that's flat. Marston.

g hard, literally or figuratively. The habit of authority also had given his manners some peremptory hardness. Sir W. Scott.

ou not see or will ye not observe . . . How insolent of late he is become, How proud, how peremptory Shak.

interpellating, or of demanding of an officer an explanation of his action; imperative or peremptory questioning; a point raised in a debate.

as troops; to cause to advance in a steady, regular, or stately manner; to cause to go by peremptory command, or by force. March them again in fair array. Prior.

hat the latter chose when it was optional. Palfrey. Original writs are either optional or peremptory. Blackstone.

In a peremptory manner; absolutely; positively. Bacon.

The quality of being peremptory; positiveness.

ndent on circumstances or probabilities; not speculative; compelling assent or obedience; peremptory; indisputable; decisive; as, positive instructions; positive truth; positive proof. "'T is positive 'gainst all exceptions." Shak.

To lay down authoritatively as a guide, direction, or rule of action; to impose as a peremptory order; to dictate; to appoint; to direct. Prescribe not us our duties. Shak. Let streams prescribe their fountains where to run. Dryden.

e; brisk; nimble; quick; sharp. [Archaic or Prov. Eng. & Scot.] That horny-handed, snell, peremptory little man. Dr. J. Brown.

Expressed in a brief, pointed manner. Staccato and peremptory [literary criticism]. G. Eliot.