comparative

• POS: Adjective, Noun
• HYPHEN: com=par=a=tive

CIDE DICTIONARY

comparative, a. [L. comparativus: cf. F. comparatif.].

•  Of or pertaining to comparison.  Glanvill.  [1913 Webster]
•  Proceeding from, or by the method of, comparison; as, the comparative sciences; the comparative anatomy.  [1913 Webster]
•  Estimated by comparison; relative; not positive or absolute, as compared with another thing or state.  [1913 Webster]

  "The recurrence of comparative warmth and cold."  [1913 Webster]

  "The bubble, by reason of its comparative levity to the fluid that incloses it, would necessarily ascend to the top."  [1913 Webster]
•  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.

comparative, n. 

•  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."  [1913 Webster]
•  An equal; a rival; a compeer.  [1913 Webster]

  "Gerard ever was
  His full comparative."  [1913 Webster]
•  One who makes comparisons; one who affects wit.  Shak.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

comparative, adj. & n.
--adj.
1 perceptible by comparison; relative (in comparative comfort).
2 estimated by comparison (the comparative merits of the two ideas).
3 of or involving comparison (esp. of sciences etc.).
4 Gram. (of an adjective or adverb) expressing a higher degree of a quality, but not the highest possible (e.g. braver, more fiercely) (cf. POSITIVE, SUPERLATIVE).
--n. Gram.
1 the comparative expression or form of an adjective or adverb.
2 a word in the comparative.

Derivative

comparatively adv.

Etymology

ME f. L comparativus (as COMPARE)

THESAURUS

comparative

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

ROGET THESAURUS

comparative

Degree

N degree, grade, extent, measure, amount, ratio, stint, standard, height, pitch, reach, amplitude, range, scope, caliber, gradation, shade, tenor, compass, sphere, station, rank, standing, rate, way, sort, point, mark, stage, intensity, strength, comparative, gradual, shading off, within the bounds, by degrees, gradually, inasmuch, pro tanto, however, howsoever, step by step, bit by bit, little by little, inch by inch, drop by drop, a little at a time, by inches, by slow degrees, by degrees, by little and little, in some degree, in some measure, to some extent, di grado in grado.

Comparison

N comparison, collation, contrast, identification, comparative estimate, relative estimate, relativity, simile, similitude, analogy (similarity), allegory, matching, pattern-matching, ratio, proportion (number), discrimination, indiscrimination, identification, comparative, metaphorical, compared with, comparable, judged by comparison, relatively, as compared with, comparisons are odious, comparisons are odorous.