relative English · revision 5034

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1387|origins=la-lat relativus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈrel.ə.tɪv/, US /ˈrel.ə.t̬ɪv/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|relatif]], [[bor|fro|relatif]] and directly from [[la-lat|relātīvus|t=having reference or relation]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from Latin relātus, used as the past participle of referre “to bring back, refer”,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from re- “back” and lātus “borne, carried”.^(Etymonline) It is related to [[relate]] and [[refer]].^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ In grammar, a word referring to an antecedent, a relative pronoun: 1387 in Barnhart, in Piers Plowman, the late 14th century in Etymonline.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) The adjective, having reference to something, is from the early 15th century.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A person or thing standing in relation to another is from before 1430,^(Barnhart 1988) and a member of the same family from 1657.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) The adjective meaning “having mutual relationship” is from the 1590s,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) pertinent or relevant from 1602,^(OED 1989) arising from or depending on relation to something else from the 1610s,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and not absolute by 1704.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) In music, relative keys share the same key signature (1818).^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1387 – a relative word.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1430 – something related to another.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1594 – mutually related.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1611 – depending on relation.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1657 – a kinsman or kinswoman.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1704 – not absolute.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A member of one's [[family]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Something related to another thing, such as a species.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Considered in comparison with something else: ''relative comfort''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Existing or having meaning only in relation to something else; not [[absolute]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(grammar)'' Referring to an earlier word, as ''who'' in a [[relative clause]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''relative to'': in comparison with, or concerning.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[relativeness]]

+ * [[relatively]]

+ * [[unrelative]]

+ * [[relative clause]]

+ * [[relative density]]

+ * [[relative bearing]]

+ * [[relative frequency]]

+ * [[relative humidity]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[correlative]]

+ * [[irrelative]]

+ * [[relate]]

+ * [[relativism]]

+ * [[relativist]]

+ * [[relativistic]]

+ * [[relativity]]

+ * [[refer]]

+ * [[referral]]

+ * [[relation]]

+ * [[relationship]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}