Collins English-English Dictionary

relative ['rεlətɪv]

1. 1. adj having meaning or significance only in relation to something else; not absolute

   a relative value

2. 2. adj [prenominal] (of a scientific quantity) being measured or stated relative to some other substance or measurement - Compare absolute

   relative humidity

   relative density

3. 3. adj [prenominal] comparative or respective

   the relative qualities of speed and accuracy

4. 4. adj [postpositive; foll by to] in proportion (to); corresponding (to)

   earnings relative to production

5. 5. adj having reference (to); pertinent (to)

   matters not relative to the topic under discussion

6. 6. adj [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 interrogative

7. 7. adj [grammar] denoting or relating to a clause (relative clause) that modifies a noun or pronoun occurring earlier in the sentence

8. 8. adj (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

9. 9. n a person who is related by blood or marriage; relation

10. 10. n a relative pronoun, clause, or grammatical construction

11. 11. n [Etymology] C16: from Late Latin relativus referring