Négatif

Négatif is a French term that functions as both an adjective and a noun. It denotes negation, absence, or a contrary quality, and it has feminine form négative. The word derives from Latin negativus and entered French via Old French négatif.

As an adjective, négatif describes something that negates or opposes a positive state, quality, or idea. It is frequently used to distinguish opposite or lacking conditions, as in negative results, negative attitudes, or negative space in design. In grammar and logic, negation is the process by which a statement is denied or contradicted, often expressed with negation markers such as ne… pas in French.

In photography and imaging, a négatif is a reflective or transmissive image in which luminance is inverted relative to the scene. Traditional film negatives store light as reversed tones and are used to produce positive prints. The term also covers color negatives and modern processes that still rely on the negative-to-positive workflow, even as digital imaging has changed practice.

In science and technology, négatif describes a negative electrical charge or a terminal on a battery (the negative pole). It also appears in physics and chemistry to denote ions, charges, or signs that are opposed to their positive counterparts.

In mathematics, négatif refers to numbers less than zero, written with a minus sign, such as −5. Negative values are ordered below zero and play a central role in arithmetic, algebra, and calculus.

In diagnostics, a négatif result indicates the absence of a detected condition, though limitations such as false negatives can occur. The term is widely used across fields to indicate the opposing or absent state relative to a positive reference.