trictly speaking, we don't use the term negative displacement, as it doesn't make much

sense. The term 'non-positive displacement' is more prevalent.

Coming to the question, compressors can be classified in two broad categories depending
on the manner in which pressure energy is imparted to the air.

Positive Displacement Type:

In this type of compressors, air is physically trapped between to relatively moving
components and forced to occupy lower volume, thereby increasing its pressure.
Most notable example would be, a reciprocating compressor. In which air is trapped
between piston and cylinder volume and then literally pressed to increase its pressure.

Non-Positive Displacement Type:

In this type, a rotating component imparts its kinetic energy to the air which is
eventually converted into pressure energy.
Centrifugal compressors are non-positive displacement type. Rotating impeller imparts
KE to the air which is converted to PE as air passes through the diffuser.

The term 'positive displacement' emphasizes the fact that a volume is physically being
displaced, whereas there is no physical displacement in centrifugal pumps.