— comparatively , adv. — comparativeness , n.
/keuhm par"euh tiv/ , adj.
1. of or pertaining to comparison.
2. proceeding by, founded on, or using comparison as a method of study: comparative anatomy.
3. estimated by comparison; not positive or absolute; relative: a comparative newcomer in politics; to live in comparative luxury.
4. Gram. being, noting, or pertaining to the intermediate degree of the comparison of adjectives, as better and more beautiful, the comparative forms of good and beautiful, and of adverbs, as nearer and more carefully, the comparative forms of near and carefully. Cf. positive (def. 20), superlative (def. 2).
n. Gram.
5. the comparative degree.
6. a form in the comparative.
[ 1400-50; late ME comparativus, equiv. to comparat ( us ) (ptp. of comparare to COMPARE; see -ATE 1 ) + -ivus -IVE ]