comparativelyadv.
/kəmˈparətɪvli/ 1. Grammar. In a comparative sense; so as to express the comparative degree.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > other grammatical categories or concepts > [adverb] > by comparison
comparatively1571
1571 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Psalmes of Dauid with Comm. (xxxi. 11) The letter [Mem] is ofttimes taken comparatively among the Hebrews.
2.
a. By way of comparison, in comparison with something else.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > comparison > [adverb]
at or in regardc1450
in comparison1470
in respect1532
comparatively1597
by comparison1807
alongside1831
comparingly1882
1597 F. Bacon Of Coulers Good & Euill (Arb.) vi. 146 The good or euil which is remoued may be esteemed good or euil comparatiuely and not positiuely or simply.
1637 G. Gillespie Dispute against Eng.-Popish Ceremonies iv. iii. 14 Things considered absolutely and by themselves, not comparatively and in relation to other things.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica i. xi. 48 Comparatively unto those flames hee is but yet in Balneo. View more context for this quotation
1715 J. T. Desaguliers tr. N. Gauger Fires Improv'd 47 The Air in Cellars, feels warm in Winter, and cold in Summer; but it is only comparatively so.
1837 H. Hallam Introd. Lit. Europe I. ii. 142 Books..[were] very dear, comparatively with the present value of money.
1847 G. Grote Hist. Greece IV. ii. xxx. 145 To construe this eulogium comparatively rather than positively.
1881 H. Alken (title) The Beauties and Defects of the Figure of the Horse comparatively Delineated.
b. In modern use mostly implying a slighter or imperfect degree of the quality, etc. spoken of: As compared with something else implied or thought of; not positively or absolutely; somewhat, rather. (Cf. comparative adj. 3b)It may render the Latin comparative degree, as maturior ‘comparatively early’, and may be expanded into comparatively speaking, from which it is perhaps elliptically derived.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > comparison > [adverb] > in a comparable manner
similitudinarily1624
comparablya1716
comparatively1794
the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adverb] > to a lesser extent > comparatively less
meana1398
comparatively1794
1794 R. J. Sulivan View of Nature II. 68 Epicurus, how much soever he might know of mind, knew comparatively nothing of matter.
1840 R. H. Barham Ingoldsby Legends 1st Ser. Pref. p. iv A comparatively modern phraseology.
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People vi. §4. 300 Erasmus was young and comparatively unknown.
1878 W. E. H. Lecky Hist. Eng. 18th Cent. I. iii. 334 At the expense of comparatively slight loss to the country.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online September 2021).
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adv.1571