Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Representative
Repˊre-sent′a-tive
(-z?ntˊ?-t?v)
, Adj.
[Cf. F.
repr[GREEK]sentatif
.] 1.
Fitted to represent; exhibiting a similitude.
2.
Bearing the character or power of another; acting for another or others;
as, a council
. representative
of the peopleSwift.
3.
Conducted by persons chosen to represent, or act as deputies for, the people;
as, a
. representative
government4.
(Nat.Hist.)
(a)
Serving or fitted to present the full characters of the type of a group; typical;
as, a
. representative
genus in a family(b)
Similar in general appearance, structure, and habits, but living in different regions; – said of certain species and varieties.
5.
(Metaph.)
Giving, or existing as, a transcript of what was originally presentative knowledge;
as,
. See representative
faculties; representative
knowledgePresentative
, 3 and Represent
, 8. Repˊre-sent′a-tive
,Noun.
[Cf. LL.
repraesentativus
.] 1.
One who, or that which, represents (anything); that which exhibits a likeness or similitude.
A statute of Rumor, whispering an idiot in the ear, who was the
representative
of Credulity. Addison.
Difficulty must cumber this doctrine which supposes that the perfections of God are the
representatives
to us of whatever we perceive in the creatures. Locke.
2.
An agent, deputy, or substitute, who supplies the place of another, or others, being invested with his or their authority.
3.
(Law)
One who represents, or stands in the place of, another.
☞ The executor or administrator is ordinarily held to be the representative of a deceased person, and is sometimes called the legal representative, or the personal representative. The heir is sometimes called the real representative of his deceased ancestor. The heirs and executors or administrators of a deceased person are sometimes compendiously described as his real and personal representatives.
Wharton. Burrill.
4.
A member of the lower or popular house in a State legislature, or in the national Congress.
[U.S.]
5.
(Nat.Hist.)
(a)
That which presents the full character of the type of a group.
(b)
A species or variety which, in any region, takes the place of a similar one in another region.
Webster 1828 Edition
Representative
REPRESENT'ATIVE
, a.1.
Exhibiting a similitude.They own the legal sacrifices, though representative, to be proper and real.
2.
Bearing the character or power of another; as a council representative of the people.REPRESENT'ATIVE
,Noun.
1.
One that exhibits the likeness of another.A statue of Rumor, whispering an idiot in the ear, who was the representative of credulity.
2.
In legislative or other business, an agent, deputy or substitute who supplies the place of another or others, being invested with his or their authority. An attorney is the representative of his client or employer. A member of the house of commons is the representative of his constituents and of the nation. In matters concerning his constituents only, he is supposed to be bound by their instructions, but in the enacting of laws for the nation, he is supposed not to be bound by their instructions, as he acts for the whole nation.3.
In law, one that stands in the place of another as heir, or in the right of succeeding to an estate of inheritance, or to a crown.4.
That by which any thing is exhibited or shown.This doctrine supposes the perfections of God to be the representatives to us of whatever we perceive in the creatures.