Main Entry: ¹com·par·a·tive

Pronunciation: \-tiv\

Function: adjective

Date: 15th century

1 : of, relating to, or constituting the degree of comparison in a language that denotes increase in the quality, quantity, or relation expressed by an adjective or adverb
2 : considered as if in comparison to something else as a standard not quite attained : relative <a comparative stranger>
3 : characterized by systematic comparison especially of likenesses and dissimilarities <comparative anatomy>

— com·par·a·tive·ly adverb

— com·par·a·tive·ness noun