See Also: comparative(dictionary)
Comparative Anatomy(medicine)
Comparative statements(finance)
Comparative study(health)
comparative advantage(encyclopedia)
comparative psychology(encyclopedia)
comparative 1, adjective(dictionary)
comparative 2, noun(dictionary)
Advertising, Comparative(law)
COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE(law)

comparative (iou)



comparative adjective & noun. LME.
[Latin comparativus, from comparat- pa. ppl stem of comparare: see COMPARE verb1, -ATIVE.]
A. adjective.
Grammar. Designating the degree of comparison expressing more (or less) of a quality or attribute; designating a form etc. of an adjective or adverb expressing this degree of comparison (e.g. with inflection, as English -ER3; with modifier, as English more; with a word from a different root, as English better corresponding to good). Cf. superlative. LME.
Considered, estimated, or perceptible by comparison; relative. L16.
B. Jowett The comparative claims of pleasure and wisdom. C. S. Forester From the peril of the top to the comparative safety of the mainyard.
Fertile in (insulting) comparisons. rare (Shakes.). Only in L16.
Of or involving comparison; esp. involving comparison across different branches of a science or subject of study. E17.
comparative anatomy, comparative grammar, comparative law, comparative linguistics, comparative philology, comparative religion, etc.
Serving as a basis for comparison. rare (Shakes.). Only in E17.
Comparable, worthy to be compared, (to). M17-E19.
b. noun.
A thing or person to be compared, a rival, an equal. L15-E17.
Grammar. A comparative form etc. of an adjective or adverb; the comparative degree. M16.
comparatively adverb by way of comparison; somewhat, rather: L16.
comparativist noun a comparatist; a student of comparative linguistics or literature: L19.