Negatiu

Negatiu is a Catalan term that denotes negative or negation. It is used as an adjective and a noun to indicate opposition, absence, or a value below zero. The feminine form is negativa, and the masculine plural is negatius. In everyday language, examples include símptomes negatius, resultat negatiu, or signe negatiu (the minus sign).

Etymology and usage: Negatiu comes from the Latin negativus, passing through French négatif and Spanish negativo before entering Catalan. Its gendered forms reflect standard Catalan grammar, enabling agreement with the noun it modifies (for example, enunciats negatius).

In language, logic and mathematics: In logic, negation expresses the opposite truth value of a proposition. In mathematics, a negative number is any number less than zero, and the minus sign indicates subtraction or the creation of a negative value. The concept of negation underpins many formal systems, including algebra and computer logic.

In photography and imaging: A negatiu fotogràfic is a photograph recorded on film or a plate where tones are inverted relative to the final print. This negative is later developed and used to produce positive images through printing processes.

In science and everyday life: In physics and chemistry, negatiu refers to negative charge and related properties. In diagnostics and testing, a negative result indicates the absence of the condition or substance being tested. In finance and measurement, negative values denote deficits, losses, or quantities below a defined baseline.

See also: Negation, negative, minus sign, negative space.