adj. & n.
adj. 1 perceptible by comparison; relative (in comparative comfort). 2 estimated by comparison (the comparative merits of the two ideas). 3 of or involving comparison (esp. of sciences etc.). 4 Gram. (of an adjective or adverb) expressing a higher degree of a quality, but not the highest possible (e.g. braver, more fiercely) (cf. POSITIVE, SUPERLATIVE).
n. Gram. 1 the comparative expression or form of an adjective or adverb. 2 a word in the comparative. comparatively adv.
[ ME f. L comparativus (as COMPARE) ]