from
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.
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2. Proceeding from, or by the method of, comparison; as, the
comparative sciences; the comparative anatomy.
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3. Estimated by comparison; relative; not positive or
absolute, as compared with another thing or state.
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The recurrence of comparative warmth and cold.
--Whewell.
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The bubble, by reason of its comparative levity to
the fluid that incloses it, would necessarily ascend
to the top. --Bentley.
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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.
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{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}.
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