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1. WordNet® 3.0 (2006)
comparative
    adj 1: relating to or based on or involving comparison;
           "comparative linguistics"
    2: estimated by comparison; not absolute or complete; "a
       relative stranger" [syn: relative, comparative] [ant:
       absolute]
    n 1: the comparative form of an adjective or adverb; "`faster'
         is the comparative of the adjective `fast'"; "`less famous'
         is the comparative degree of the adjective `famous'";
         "`more surely' is the comparative of the adverb `surely'"
         [syn: comparative, comparative degree]

2. The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
   [1913 Webster]

         In comparatives is expressed a relation of two; as in
         superlatives there is a relation of many. --Angus.
   [1913 Webster]

   2. An equal; a rival; a compeer. [Obs.]
      [1913 Webster]

            Gerard ever was
            His full comparative.                 --Beau. & Fl.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. One who makes comparisons; one who affects wit. [Obs.]
      "Every beardless vain comparative." --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

3. The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Comparative \Com*par"a*tive\, a. [L. comparativus: cf. F.
   comparatif.]
   1. Of or pertaining to comparison. "The comparative faculty."
      --Glanvill.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Proceeding from, or by the method of, comparison; as, the
      comparative sciences; the comparative anatomy.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. Estimated by comparison; relative; not positive or
      absolute, as compared with another thing or state.
      [1913 Webster]

            The recurrence of comparative warmth and cold.
                                                  --Whewell.
      [1913 Webster]

            The bubble, by reason of its comparative levity to
            the fluid that incloses it, would necessarily ascend
            to the top.                           --Bentley.
      [1913 Webster]

   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.
      [1913 Webster]

   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.
      [1913 Webster]

Thesaurus Results for comparative:

1. Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0
affinitive, analogical, analogous, appertaining, approximate, associative, collatable, commensurable, commensurate, comparable, congenial, connective, correlative, en rapport, equivalent, like, linking, matchable, much at one, near, parallel, pertaining, pertinent, proportionable, proportional, proportionate, referable, referring, relating, relational, relative, similar, sympathetic
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