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comparative
7 dictionary results for: comparative
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
com·par·a·tive       [kuhm-par-uh-tiv] Pronunciation Key
–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.
4.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 -ate1) + -īvus -ive]

com·par·a·tive·ly, adverb
com·par·a·tive·ness, noun
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
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.
  1. Estimated by comparison; relative: a comparative newcomer.
  2. 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
  1. The comparative degree.
  2. 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.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
comparative

adjective
1. relating to or based on or involving comparison; "comparative linguistics" 
2. estimated by comparison; not absolute or complete; "a relative stranger" [syn: relative] [ant: absolute

noun
1. 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'" 

American Heritage New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition - Cite This Source - Share This
comparative

A form of an adjective indicating a greater degree of the quality that the adjective describes. Better is the comparative form of good; faster is the comparative form of fast; bluer is the comparative form of blue; more charming is the comparative form of charming. (Compare superlative.)


Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: com·par·a·tive
Pronunciation: k&m-'par-&-tiv
Function: adjective
: characterized by systematic comparison <comparative contribution, which apportions according to…respective fault —W. L. Prosser and W. Pacific Reporter Keeton> —com·par·a·tive·ly adverb

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Comparative

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

1. Of or pertaining to comparison. "The comparative faculty." --Glanvill.

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

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Comparative

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

In comparatives is expressed a relation of two; as in superlatives there is a relation of many. --Angus.

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.

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