representative

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   being or characteristic of government by representation in which citizens exercise power through elected officers and representatives

   representative government as defined by Abraham Lincoln is government of the people, by the people, for the people

2. 2
   adj

   standing for something else

   the bald eagle is representative of the United States

3. 3
   adj

   serving to represent or typify

   representative moviegoers

4. 4
   adj

   Typical; having the same properties or interest as a larger group.

   THE POCKET ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF BRITISH STEAM LOCOMOTIVES. By O. S. Nock. Blandford Press. 18s. Mr. Nock, he remarks in his preface, was "incredulous" when the idea of this book of 192 colour gravure illustrations of a representative collection of British steam locomotives from Locomotion to BR's Evening Star was broached to him.

5. 5
   adj

   Representing, showing a likeness.

   Are you sure this paper is representative of your child's writing?

6. 6
   noun

   A delegate.

   She served four terms as representative of her local at the national union convention.

7. 7
   noun

   Something standing for something else.

   The furniture was the same when she married..[ ]..The only representatives of to-day, were two large and comfortable arm-chairs, and a few elegant-looking trifles, the work of the Misses Granard.

8. 8
   noun

   an item of information that is typical of a class or group

Etymology

From Middle English representative, from Middle French representatif and its etymon Medieval Latin repraesentātīvus. By surface analysis, represent + -ative; See representation.