comparative

Etymology

From Middle English comparatif, from Middle French comparatif, from Latin comparātīvus, equivalent to comparātus, from comparāre (“to compare”) + -ive, from Latin -īvus.

adj

1. Of or relating to comparison.
   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.
   comparative anatomy
   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.
   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. 24 October 2016, Owen Gibson, “Is the unthinkable happening – are people finally switching the football off?”, in The Guardian, London
   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
4. (obsolete) Comparable; bearing comparison.
   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

noun

1. (grammar) A construction showing a relative quality, in English usually formed by adding more or appending -er. For example, the comparative of green is greener; of evil, more evil.
2. (grammar) A word in the comparative form.
3. (chiefly in the 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
4. (obsolete) An equal; a rival; a compeer.
5. (obsolete) One who makes comparisons; one who affects wit.