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relative [ˈrɛlətɪv] adj 1. having meaning or significance only in relation to something else; not absolute a relative value 2. (prenominal) (of a scientific quantity) being measured or stated relative to some other substance or measurement relative humidity relative density Compare absolute [10] 3. (prenominal) comparative or respective the relative qualities of speed and accuracy 4. (postpositive; foll by to) in proportion (to); corresponding (to) earnings relative to production 5. having reference (to); pertinent (to) matters not relative to the topic under discussion 6. (Linguistics / Grammar) Grammar denoting or belonging to a class of words that function as subordinating conjunctions in introducing relative clauses. In English, relative pronouns and determiners include who, which, and that Compare demonstrative [5] interrogative [3] 7. (Linguistics / Grammar) Grammar denoting or relating to a clause (relative clause) that modifies a noun or pronoun occurring earlier in the sentence 8. (Music, other) (of a musical key or scale) having the same key signature as another key or scale C major is the relative major of A minor n 1. a person who is related by blood or marriage; relation 2. (Linguistics / Grammar) a relative pronoun, clause, or grammatical construction [from Late Latin relātīvus referring] relatively adv relativeness n rel•a•tive (ˈrɛl ə tɪv) n. 1. a person who is connected with another by blood or marriage. 2. something having, or standing in, some relation to something else. 3. something dependent upon external conditions for its specific nature, size, etc. (opposed to absolute). 4. a relative pronoun, adjective, or adverb. adj. 5. considered in relation to something else; comparative: the relative merits of gas and electric heating. 6. existing or having its specific nature only by relation to something else; not absolute or independent: Happiness is relative. 7. having relation or connection. 8. having reference; relevant; pertinent (usu. fol. by to): the facts relative to the case. 9. correspondent; proportionate. 10. depending for significance upon something else: “Better” is a relative term. 11. of or designating a word that introduces a subordinate clause and refers to an expressed or implied element of the principal clause: the relative pronoun who in “That was the woman who called”; the relative adverb where in “This is the house where I was born.” 12. (of a musical key) having the same key signature as another key: a relative minor. [1350–1400; Middle English relatif (n.) (< Middle French) < Late Latin relātīvus (adj.); see relate, -ive] rel′a•tive•ly, adv.
Thesaurus Legend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
relative noun relation, connection, kinsman or kinswoman, member of your or the family Do relatives of yours still live in Siberia? adjective 1. comparative, considerable, reasonable, moderate, in comparison a period of relative calm 2. corresponding, comparable, respective, comparative, reciprocal, correlative the relative importance of education in 50 countries 3. (with to) in proportion to, corresponding to, proportionate to, proportional to The satellite remains in one spot relative to the earth's surface. Quotations "Every man sees in his relatives, and especially in his cousins, a series of grotesque caricatures of himself" [H.L. Mencken Prejudices] "When you are courting a nice girl an hour seems like a second. When you sit on a red-hot cinder a second seems like an hour. That's relativity" [Albert Einstein] Translations relative [ˈrelətɪv] A. ADJ 1. (= comparative) [safety, peace, comfort, ease] → relativo her relative lack of experience → su relativa falta de experiencia he is a relative newcomer → es relativamente nuevo it's all relative → todo es relativo in relative terms → relativamente petrol consumption is relative to speed → el consumo de gasolina está en relación con la velocidad there is a shortage of labour relative to demand → hay escasez de trabajadores en relación con la demanda 2. (= respective) the relative merits of the two systems → los méritos de cada uno de los dos sistemas 3. (= relevant) relative to → relativo a, concerniente a the documents relative to the problem → la documentación relativa or concerniente al problema 4. (Ling) → relativo relative clause → oración f subordinada relativa, oración f (subordinada)de relativo relative pronoun → pronombre m relativo 5. (Mus) → relativo relative [ˈrɛlətɪv] adj (= comparative) → relatif/ive a period of relative calm → une période de calme relatif relative to sth → relativement à qch it's all relative → tout est relatif (= respective) → respectif/ive the relative merits of London and Paris → les mérites respectifs de Londres et Paris relative clause n → (proposition f) relative f relative adj (= comparative, not absolute, Sci) → relativ; happiness is relative → Glück ist relativ; relative to him, she is in a very happy position → verglichen mit ihm ist sie gut dran; fuel consumption is relative to speed → der Benzinverbrauch hängt von der Geschwindigkeit ab; to live in relative luxury → verhältnismäßig or relativ luxuriös leben; with relative ease → relativ leicht; in relative terms → vergleichsweise, relativ gesehen; it’s all relative → es ist alles relativ (Mus) minor, major → parallel n (= person) = relation a relative [ˈrɛlətɪv] 1. adj (comparative) (Gram) → relativo/a; (connected) relative to → legato/a a the relative merits of X and Y → i meriti rispettivi di X e Y 2. n → parente m/f relative 1. n. pariente, familiar; 2. gr. pronombre relativo; a. relativo-a. Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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