adv. [f. prec. + -LY2.]
1. Gram. In a comparative sense; so as to express the comparative degree.
1571. Golding, Calvin on Ps. xxxi. 11. The letter [Mem] is ofttimes taken comparatively among the Hebrews.
2. By way of comparison, in comparison with something else.
1597. Bacon, Coulers Good & Evil, vi. (Arb.), 146. The good or euil which is remoued may be esteemed good or euil comparatiuely and not positiuely or simply.
1637. Gillespie, Eng.-Pop. Cerem., IV. iii. 14. Things considered absolutely and by themselves, not comparatively and in relation to other things.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., I. xi. 48. Comparatively unto those flames hee is but yet in Balneo.
1725. Desaguliers, Fires Impr., 47. The Air in Cellars, feels warm in Winter, and cold in Summer; but it is only comparatively so.
1837–9. Hallam, Hist. Lit., I. I. ii. § 23. Books … [were] very dear, comparatively with the present value of money.
1847. Grote, Greece, II. xxx. (1862), III. 92. To construe this eulogium comparatively rather than positively.
1881. Alken (title), The Beauties and Defects of the Figure of the Horse comparatively Delineated.
b. In mod. 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 3 b.)
It may render the L. comparative degree, as maturior ‘comparatively early,’ and may be expanded into comparatively speaking, from which it is perh. elliptically derived.
1794. Sullivan, View Nat., II. 68. Epicurus, how much soever he might know of mind, knew comparatively nothing of matter.
1840. Barham, Ingol. Leg., Pref. 3. A comparatively modern phraseology.
1874. Green, Short Hist., vi. 300. Erasmus was young and comparatively unknown.
1878. Lecky, England in 18th C., I. iii. 334. At the expense of comparatively slight loss to the country.
