COMPARATIVE

relative, comparative

(adjective) estimated by comparison; not absolute or complete; “a relative stranger”

comparative

(adjective) relating to or based on or involving comparison; “comparative linguistics”; “the comparative form of an adjective”

comparative, comparative degree

(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’”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Adjective

comparative (comparative more comparative, superlative most comparative)

Of or relating to comparison.

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

Approximated by comparison; relative.

(obsolete) Comparable; bearing comparison.

Noun

comparative (plural comparatives)

(grammar) A construction showing a relative quality, in English usually formed by adding more or appending -er. For example, the comparative of green is greener; of evil, more evil.

(grammar) A word in the comparative form.

(mostly, in the plural) Data used to make a comparison.

(obsolete) An equal; a rival; a compeer.

(obsolete) One who makes comparisons; one who affects wit.

Synonyms

• (grammar: degree): comparative degree

Anagrams

• vampire taco

Source: Wiktionary


Com*par"a*tive, a. Etym: [L. comparativus: cf. F. comparatif.]

1. Of or pertaining to comparison. "The comparative faculty." Granvill.

2. Proceeding from, or by the method of, comparison; as, the comparative anatomy.

3. Estimated by comparison; relative; not positive or absolute, as compared with another thing or state. The recurrence of comparative warmth and cold. Whewell. The bubble, by reason of its comparative levity to the fluid that incloses it, would necessarily ascend to the top. Bentley.

4. (Gram.)

Definition: 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. 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.

Com*par"a*tive, n. (Gram.)

Definition: The comparative degree of adjectives and adverbs; also, the form by which the comparative degree is expressed; as, stronger, wiser, weaker, wore stormy, less windy, are all comparatives. In comparatives is expressed a relation of two; as in superlatives there is a relation of many.

2. An equal; a rival; a compeer. [Obs.] Gerard ever was His full comparative. Beau. & Fl.

3. One who makes comparisons; one who affects wit. [Obs.] "Every beardless vain comparative." Shak.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

26 April 2024

CITYSCAPE

(noun) a viewpoint toward a city or other heavily populated area; “the dominant character of the cityscape is it poverty”


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Coffee Trivia

Plain brewed coffee contains almost no calories, while coffee with dairy products, sugar, and other flavorings is much higher in calories. An espresso has 20 calories. A nonfat latte has 72, while a flavored one has 134.

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