Etymology From Middle English comparatif, from Middle French comparatif, from Latin comparātīvus, equivalent to comparātus, from comparāre (“to compare”) + -ive, from Latin -īvus.
1
Of or relating to comparison.
He gave us a comparative example to illustrate how the human mind works.
that kind of animals that have the comparative faculty, by which they compare things together, deliberate and resolve.1773, James Burnett, Of the Origin and Progress of Language:
2
Using comparison as a method of study, or founded on something using it.
A comparative study between Homo Sapiens and Homo neanderthalensis.
comparative anatomy
1 more example
After all, it is undeniable that the B.R. standard coach scored highly in comparative trials with other European railway vehicles on the Continent a few years ago, so that B.R. civil engineers must share responsibility for any defects in its behaviour over here.1960 December, “Talking of Trains: The riding of B.R. coaches”, in Trains Illustrated, pages 705–706:
3
Approximated by comparison; relative.
I've passed the test with comparative ease.
The Olympics, the weather and a comparative lack of heavyweight clashes so far this season have been cited as reasons for the drop in viewers.2016 October 24, Owen Gibson, “Is the unthinkable happening – are people finally switching the football off?”, in The Guardian, London:
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The recurrence of comparative warmth and cold.1837, William Whewell, History of the Inductive Sciences:
This bubble, […] by reason of its comparative levity to the fluid that encloses it, would necessarily ascend to the top.1692, Richard Bentley, A Confutation of Atheism:
And need he had of slumber yet, for none / Had suffered more—his hardships were comparative / To those related in my grand-dad's Narrative.1819, Lord Byron, Don Juan, II.137:
Etymology From Middle English comparatif, from Middle French comparatif, from Latin comparātīvus, equivalent to comparātus, from comparāre (“to compare”) + -ive, from Latin -īvus.
1
Grammar, Human sciences, Linguistics, Sciences The degree of comparison of an adjective or adverb used when comparing two entities in terms of a certain property or a certain way of doing something. In English, the comparative of superiority is formed by adding the suffix -er or the word more (e.g. bigger, more fully); the comparative of equality, by adding the word as (e.g. as big, as fully); the comparative of inferiority, by adding the word less (e.g. less big, less fully).
2
Grammar, Human sciences, Linguistics, Sciences An adjective or adverb in the comparative degree.
3
In plural Data used to make a comparison.
Investment ratios are positive. Comparative or trend data are required to draw final conclusions. The absence of comparatives and trend data constrains the conclusions.2010, Barry Smith, Introductory Financial Accounting and Reporting, page 171:
Gerrard ever was / His full comparative.c. 1608–1613, Nathan Field, John Fletcher, “Four Playes, or Morall Representations, in One”, in Comedies and Tragedies […], London: […] Humphrey Robinson, […], and for Humphrey Moseley […], published 1647, →OCLC, Act ,:
5
Obsolete One who makes comparisons; one who affects wit.
Every beardless vain comparative.c. 1597 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Fourth, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii], line 67: