Com-păr'a-tive1, a.
a. [Lat. comparativus, Fr. comparatif, Pr. comparatiu, It. & Sp. comparativo.] 1. Estimated by comparison; proceeding from comparison; not positive or absolute. “The recurrence of comparative warmth and cold.” Whewell. The bubble, by reason of its comparative levity to the fluid that incloses it, would necessarily ascend to the top. Bentley.
- Having the power of comparing different things. “The comparative faculty.” Glanville.
- (Gram.) Expressing a greater or a less degree of the quality, as a form of the adjective or adverb; as, brighter, or more bright; stronger; weaker.
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 embryology, comparative philology, and the like. Dana.