kəmˈpærətɪv 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. øøcomparatively adv. [ME f. L comparativus (as COMPARE)]