\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.

\Po*si"tion\, v. t.
To indicate the position of; to place. [R.] --Encyc. Brit.