'Comparative' definitions:
Definition of 'comparative'
From: WordNet
adjective
Relating to or based on or involving comparison; "comparative linguistics"
adjective
Estimated by comparison; not absolute or complete; "a relative stranger" [syn: relative, comparative] [ant: absolute]
noun
The comparative form of an adjective or adverb; "`faster' is the comparative of the adjective `fast'"; "`less famous' is the comparative degree of the adjective `famous'"; "`more surely' is the comparative of the adverb `surely'" [syn: comparative, comparative degree]
Definition of 'Comparative'
From: GCIDE
- Comparative \Com*par"a*tive\, a. [L. comparativus: cf. F. comparatif.]
- 1. Of or pertaining to comparison. "The comparative faculty." --Glanvill. [1913 Webster]
- 2. Proceeding from, or by the method of, comparison; as, the comparative sciences; the comparative anatomy. [1913 Webster]
- 3. Estimated by comparison; relative; not positive or absolute, as compared with another thing or state. [1913 Webster]
- The recurrence of comparative warmth and cold. --Whewell. [1913 Webster]
- The bubble, by reason of its comparative levity to the fluid that incloses it, would necessarily ascend to the top. --Bentley. [1913 Webster]
- 4. (Gram.) Expressing a degree greater or less than the positive degree of the quality denoted by an adjective or adverb. The comparative degree is formed from the positive by the use of -er, more, or less; as, brighter, more bright, or less bright. [1913 Webster]
- Comparative sciences, those which are based on a comprehensive comparison of the range of objects or facts in any branch or department, and which aim to study out and treat of the fundamental laws or systems of relation pervading them; as, comparative anatomy, {comparative physiology}, comparative philology. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'Comparative'
From: GCIDE
- Comparative \Com*par"a*tive\, n. (Gram.) The comparative degree of adjectives and adverbs; also, the form by which the comparative degree is expressed; as, stronger, wiser, weaker, more stormy, less windy, are all comparatives. [1913 Webster]
- In comparatives is expressed a relation of two; as in superlatives there is a relation of many. --Angus. [1913 Webster]
- 2. An equal; a rival; a compeer. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
- Gerard ever was His full comparative. --Beau. & Fl. [1913 Webster]
- 3. One who makes comparisons; one who affects wit. [Obs.] "Every beardless vain comparative." --Shak. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'comparative'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- affinitive,
- analogical,
- analogous,
- appertaining,
- approximate,
- associative,
- collatable,
- commensurable,
- commensurate,
- comparable,
- congenial,
- connective,
- correlative,
- en rapport,
- equivalent,
- like,
- linking,
- matchable,
- much at one,
- near,
- parallel,
- pertaining,
- pertinent,
- proportionable,
- proportional,
- proportionate,
- referable,
- referring,
- relating,
- relational,
- relative,
- similar,
- sympathetic
Words containing 'Comparative'
- Comparable,
- Comparableness,
- Comparably,
- Comparate,
- Comparation,
- Comparatively,
- Comparator,
- Compare,
- Compared,
- Comparer,
- Comparing,
- comparability,
- comparable to,
- comparable with,
- not comparable,
- not compare,
- Banksia compar,
- Beyond compare,
- Comparative grammar,
- Comparative sciences,
- comparative anatomist,
- comparative anatomy,
- comparative degree,
- comparative literature,
- comparative negligence,
- comparative philology,
- comparative physiology,
- comparative psychology