Comparativeness

[kuh m-par-uh-tiv] /kəmˈpær ə tɪv/

adjective
1.
of or relating to .
2.
proceeding by, founded on, or using as a method of study:
comparative anatomy.
3.
estimated by ; not positive or absolute; relative:
a comparative newcomer in politics; to live in comparative luxury.
4.
Grammar. being, noting, or pertaining to the intermediate degree of the of adjectives, as better and more beautiful, the comparative forms of good and beautiful, and of adverbs, as nearer and more carefully, the comparative forms of near and carefully.
Compare (def 20), (def 2).
noun, Grammar.
5.
the comparative degree.
6.
a form in the comparative.
/kəmˈpærətɪv/
adjective
1.
denoting or involving comparison: comparative literature
2.
judged by comparison; relative: a comparative loss of prestige
3.
(grammar) denoting the form of an adjective that indicates that the quality denoted is possessed to a greater extent. In English the comparative form of an adjective is usually marked by the suffix -er or the word more Compare positive (sense 10), superlative (sense 2)
noun
4.
the comparative form of an adjective
adj.

mid-15c., from Middle French comparatif, from Latin comparativus “pertaining to comparison,” from comparat-, past participle stem of comparare (see comparison). Originally grammatical; general sense is from c.1600; meaning “involving different branches of a subject” is from 1670s. Related: Comparatively.

A form of an adjective indicating a greater degree of the quality that the adjective describes. Better is the comparative form of good; faster is the comparative form of fast; bluer is the comparative form of blue; more charming is the comparative form of charming. (Compare superlative.)