Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Comparative
Com-par′a-tive
,Adj.
[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
anatomy3.
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
brightComparative 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
,Noun.
(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
His full
comparative
. Beau. & Fl.
3.
One who makes comparisons; one who affects wit.
[Obs.]
“Every beardless vain comparative.” Shak.
Webster 1828 Edition
Comparative
COMPARATIVE
, a.1.
Estimated by comparison; not positive or absolute. The comparative weight of a body, is that which is estimated by comparing it with the weight of another body. A body may be called heavy, when compared with a feather, which would be called light, when compared with iron. So of comparative good, or evil.2.
Having the power of comparing different things; as a comparative faculty.3.
In grammar, expressing more or less. The comparative degree of an adjective expresses a greater or less degree of a quantity, or quality, than the positive; as brighter, or more bright; smaller; finer; stronger; weaker.Comparative anatomy, that branch of anatomy which treats of the anatomy of other animals than man, with a view to compare their structure with that of human beings, and thus to illustrate the animal functions, and particularly with reference to a more perfect knowledge of the functions of several parts of the human body.
COMPARATIVE
,Noun.