Pronunciation: -tiv
Function: adjective
Date: 15th century
1 : of, relating to, or constituting the degree of comparison in a language that denotes increase in the quality, quantity, or relation expressed by an adjective or adverb
2 : considered as if in comparison to something else as a standard not quite attained : RELATIVE <a comparative stranger>
3 : characterized by systematic comparison especially of likenesses and dissimilarities < comparative anatomy>
– com · par · a · tive · ly adverb
– com · par · a · tive · ness noun