Comparatively definition | Dictionary.com

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similarly, approximately,

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Comparatively - 4 dictionary results

com⋅par⋅a⋅tive

[kuh

m-par-uh-tiv]

–adjective

1.	of or pertaining to comparison.

2.	proceeding by, founded on, or using comparison as a method of study: comparative anatomy.

3.	estimated by comparison; not positive or absolute; relative: a comparative newcomer in politics; to live in comparative luxury.

Grammar. being, noting, or pertaining to the intermediate degree of the comparison of adjectives, as better and more beautiful, the comparative forms of good and beautiful, and of adverbs, as nearer and more carefully, the comparative forms of near and carefully. Compare positive (def. 20), superlative (def. 2).

–noun Grammar.

5.	the comparative degree.

6.	a form in the comparative.

Origin:
1400–50; late ME < L comparātīvus, equiv. to comparāt(us) (ptp. of comparāre to compare; see -ate ¹ ) + -īvus -ive

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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Language Translation for : Comparatively

Spanish:

relativamente,

German:

verhältnismäßig,

Japanese:

比較的に

View 30 other languages »

com·par·a·tive (kəm-pār'ə-tĭv) Pronunciation Key
adj.

1. Relating to, based on, or involving comparison.
2. Of or relating to the scientific or historical comparison of different phenomena, institutions, or objects, such as languages, legal systems, or anatomical structures, in an effort to understand their origins or relationships.
Estimated by comparison; relative: a comparative newcomer.
Grammar Of, relating to, or being the intermediate degree of comparison of adjectives, as better, sweeter, or more wonderful, or adverbs, as more softly.

n. Grammar

The comparative degree.
An adjective or adverb expressing the comparative degree.

com·par'a·tive·ly adv.

Our Living Language : Speakers of vernacular dialects often use double comparatives and superlatives such as more higher and most fastest. Although such constructions may seem redundant or even illogical, in reality both standard and nonstandard varieties of all languages are replete with such constructions. In English the redundant comparative dates back to the 1500s. Prior to this, in Old and Middle English, suffixes, rather than a preceding more or most, almost always marked the comparative and superlative forms of adjectives and adverbs, regardless of word length. In the Early Modern English period (c. 1500-1800), more and most constructions became more common. The Modern English rule governing the distribution of -er/-est and more/most had not yet arisen, and such forms as eminenter, impudentest, and beautifullest occurred together with constructions like more near, most poor, and most foul. Double markings were commonly used to indicate special emphasis, and they do not appear to have been socially disfavored. In fact, even Shakespeare used double comparatives and superlatives, as in Mark Antony's statement "This was the most unkindest cut of all" from Julius Caesar. Nowadays, although double comparatives and superlatives are not considered standard usage, they are kept alive in vernacular dialects. See Notes at might², plural, redundancy.

comparatively
adverb
in a relative manner; by comparison to something else; "the situation is relatively calm now" [syn: relatively]

Comparatively

Com*par"a*tive*ly\, adv. According to estimate made by comparison; relatively; not positively or absolutely.

With but comparatively few exceptions. --Prescott.

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