a. [f. as prec. + -AL: see -ICAL.] Of the nature of or involving direct or positive statement; laid down or stated positively or absolutely; positive; dogmatic; arbitrary.
1653. H. More, Conject. Cabbal. (1713), 66. This Law … was merely Thetical or Positive, not Indispensable and Natural.
1678. Cudworth, Intell. Syst., Pref. 2.
1718. J. Chamberlayne, Relig. Philos., Pref. (1730), 4. The Thetical Way … must not appear imperfect to them.
1873. W. Humphrey, Div. Teacher, p. iii. A thetical exposition of the Catholic doctrine.
