comparative

adj

1. Of or relating to comparison.

   “He gave us a comparative example to illustrate how the human mind works.”

   “that kind of animals that have the comparative faculty, by which they compare things together, deliberate and resolve.”

2. Using comparison as a method of study, or founded on something using it.

   “A comparative study between Homo Sapiens and Homo neanderthalensis.”

   “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.”

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.”

   “The recurrence of comparative warmth and cold.”

   “This bubble, […] by reason of its comparative levity to the fluid that encloses it, would necessarily ascend to the top.”

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.”

noun

1. The degree of comparison of an adjective or adverb used when comparing two entities in terms of a certain property or a certain way of doing something. In English, the comparative of superiority is formed by adding the suffix -er or the word more (e.g. bigger, more fully); the comparative of equality, by adding the word as (e.g. as big, as fully); the comparative of inferiority, by adding the word less (e.g. less big, less fully).
2. An adjective or adverb in the comparative degree.
3. (in-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.”

4. (obsolete)An equal; a rival; a compeer.

   “Gerrard ever was / His full comparative.”

5. (obsolete)One who makes comparisons; one who affects wit.

   “Every beardless vain comparative.”