comparative

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   relating to or based on or involving comparison

   comparative linguistics

2. 2
   noun

   the comparative form of an adjective or adverb

   `faster' is the comparative of the adjective `fast'

3. 3
   adj

   Of or relating to comparison.

   He gave us a comparative example to illustrate how the human mind works.

4. 4
   adj

   Using comparison as a method of study, or founded on something using it.

   A comparative study between Homo Sapiens and Homo neanderthalensis.

5. 5
   adj

   Approximated by comparison; relative.

   The Olympics, the weather and a comparative lack of heavyweight clashes so far this season have been cited as reasons for the drop in viewers.

6. 6
   adj

   Comparable; bearing comparison.

   And need he had of slumber yet, for none / Had suffered more—his hardships were comparative / To those related in my grand-dad's Narrative.

7. 7
   noun

   Data used to make a comparison.

   Investment ratios are positive. Comparative or trend data are required to draw final conclusions. The absence of comparatives and trend data constrains the conclusions.

8. 8
   noun

   An equal; a rival; a compeer.

   Gerrard ever was / His full comparative.

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ḱe Proto-Indo-European *ḱóm Proto-Italic *kom Proto-Italic *kom- Latin con- Latin pār Latin compār Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂yéti Proto-Italic *-āō Latin -ō Latin comparō Proto-Indo-European *-wósder. Latin -īvus Latin comparātīvusbor. Old French comparatifbor. Middle English comparatif English comparative From Middle English comparatif, from Middle French comparatif, from Latin comparātīvus, equivalent to comparātus, from comparāre (“to compare”) + -ive, from Latin -īvus.