POSITIVE FLUSHNESS: Raising or moving outboard, the edge of a component panel, such as the rear edge of a fender, higher than the edge of a functional or moveable panel, such as the leading edge of the door, to prevent the two edges from rubbing or brushing against each other when opening or closing the moveable panel.
NEGATIVE FLUSHNESS: The opposite of positive flushness wherein the edge of one panel is recessed slightly below that of an adjoining panel for clearance purposes and to eliminate turbulence noises.