relative

Relative is defined as something connected, relevant or dependent on something else.

(adjective)

  1. An example of relative is evidence in a court case.
  2. An example of relative is calling six hours of sleep a good amount, after only getting four hours of sleep during many nights before.

The definition of a relative is someone who is connected to another by blood, family or marriage.

(noun)

An example of relative is a father-in-law.

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See relative in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

  1. related each to the other; dependent upon or referring to each other: to stay in the same relative positions
  2. having to do with; pertinent; relevant: documents relative to a legal case
  3. regarded in relation to something else; comparative: living in relative comfort
  4. meaningful only in relationship; not absolute: “cold” is a relative term
  5. Gram.
    1. designating a word that introduces a dependent clause and refers to an antecedent: “which” is a relative pronoun in “the hat which you bought”
    2. introduced by such a word: a relative clause

Origin: < MFr or L: MFr relatif < L relativus < L relatus: see relate

noun

  1. a relative word, term, or thing
  2. a person connected with another by blood, marriage, etc.; kinsman or kinswoman
  3. a plant or animal in the same taxonomic division as another

Related Forms:

See relative in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective
  1. Having pertinence or relevance; connected or related.
  2. Considered in comparison with something else: the relative quiet of the suburbs.
  3. Dependent on or interconnected with something else; not absolute. See Synonyms at dependent.
  4. Grammar Referring to or qualifying an antecedent, as the pronoun who in the man who was on TV or that in the dictionary that I use.
  5. Music Having the same key signature. Used of major and minor scales and keys: A minor is the relative minor of C major.
noun
  1. One related by kinship, common origin, or marriage.
  2. Something having a relation or connection to something else.
  3. Grammar A relative pronoun.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French relatif

Origin: , from Late Latin relātīvus

Origin: , from Latin relātus

Origin: , past participle of referre, to relate; see relate

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Related Forms:

  • relˈa·tive·ness noun

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