comparativeとは

意味・読み方・使い方

発音

• (Received 発音) IPA^(key): /kəmˈpæɹ.ə.tɪv/
• (General American) enPR: kəmʹpăr-ə-tĭv
  • (Mary–marry–merry distinction) IPA^(key): /kəmˈpæɹ.ə.tɪv/
  • (Mary–marry–merry merger) IPA^(key): /kəmˈpɛɹ.ə.tɪv/
• (Mary–marry–merry merger)
• ハイフネーション: com‧par‧a‧tive

形容詞

comparative (comparative more comparative, superlative most comparative)

1. Of or relating to comparison.

   (Can we add an example for this sense?)

   • 1773, James Burnett, Of the Origin and Progress of Language

     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.

   comparative anatomy

   • 1960 December, “Talking of Trains: The riding of B.R. coaches”, in Trains Illustrated, pages 705-706:

     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.
   • 2016 October 24, Owen Gibson, “Is the unthinkable happening – are people finally switching the football off?”, in The Guardian‎^[1], London:

     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.

   • 1837, William Whewell, History of the Inductive Sciences

     The recurrence of comparative warmth and cold.

   • 1692, Richard Bentley, A Confutation of Atheism

     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.
   • 1819, Lord Byron, Don Juan, II.137:

     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.

派生語

名詞

comparative (複数形 comparatives)

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.
   • 2010, Barry Smith, Introductory Financial Accounting and Reporting, page 171:

     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.
   • c. 1608–1613, Nathan Field; John Fletcher, “Fovr Playes, or Morall Representations, in One”, in Comedies and Tragedies […], London: […] Humphrey Robinson, […], and for Humphrey Moseley […], published 1647, OCLC 3083972, Act , (please specify the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals):

     Gerrard ever was / His full comparative.

5. (obsolete) One who makes comparisons; one who affects wit.
   • c. 1597, William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Fourth, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358, [Act III, scene ii], line 67:

     Every beardless vain comparative.

同意語

• (grammar: degree): comparative degree