3  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Comparative  \Com*par"a*tive\,  a.  [L.  comparativus:  cf  F. 
  comparatif.] 
  1.  Of  or  pertaining  to  comparison.  ``The  comparative 
  faculty.''  --Glanvill. 
 
  2.  Proceeding  from  or  by  the  method  of  comparison;  as  the 
  comparative  sciences;  the  comparative  anatomy. 
 
  3.  Estimated  by  comparison;  relative;  not  positive  or 
  absolute,  as  compared  with  another  thing  or  state. 
 
  The  recurrence  of  comparative  warmth  and  cold. 
  --Whewell. 
 
  The  bubble,  by  reason  of  its  comparative  levity  to 
  the  fluid  that  incloses  it  would  necessarily  ascend 
  to  the  top  --Bentley. 
 
  4.  (Gram.)  Expressing  a  degree  greater  or  less  than  the 
  positive  degree  of  the  quality  denoted  by  an  adjective  or 
  adverb.  The  comparative  degree  is  formed  from  the  positive 
  by  the  use  of  -er,  more  or  less  as  brighter,  more 
  bright,  or  less  bright. 
 
  {Comparative  sciences},  those  which  are  based  on  a 
  comprehensive  comparison  of  the  range  of  objects  or  facts 
  in  any  branch  or  department,  and  which  aim  to  study  out 
  and  treat  of  the  fundamental  laws  or  systems  of  relation 
  pervading  them  as  {comparative  anatomy},  {comparative 
  physiology},  {comparative  philology}. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Comparative  \Com*par"a*tive\,  n.  (Gram.) 
  The  comparative  degree  of  adjectives  and  adverbs;  also  the 
  form  by  which  the  comparative  degree  is  expressed;  as 
  stronger,  wiser,  weaker,  more  stormy,  less  windy,  are  all 
  comparatives. 
 
  In  comparatives  is  expressed  a  relation  of  two  as  in 
  superlatives  there  is  a  relation  of  many  --Angus. 
 
  2.  An  equal;  a  rival;  a  compeer.  [Obs.] 
 
  Gerard  ever  was  His  full  comparative.  --Beau.  &  Fl 
 
  3.  One  who  makes  comparisons;  one  who  affects  wit.  [Obs.] 
  ``Every  beardless  vain  comparative.''  --Shak. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  comparative 
  adj  1:  relating  to  or  based  on  or  involving  comparison; 
  "comparative  linguistics" 
  2:  having  significance  only  in  relation  to  something  else;  "a 
  comparative  newcomer" 
  n  :  the  comparative  form  of  an  adjective;  "`better'  is  the 
  comparative  form  of  `good'" 

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