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affirmative action
A policy that promotes the recruitment or advancement of minority groups (as relates to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or people with disabilities) so as to create a more diverse environment, especially as a means to counter discrimination against those minorities. Primarily heard in US, South Africa. While some people view affirmative action as an unfair hiring method, the company stands by it as a useful means of promoting diversity.
in the affirmative
in the form of an answer that means yes. The soldier answered in the affirmative by nodding his head "yes." My manager's response was in the affirmative.