Comparatival

/ˌkɒmpərəˈtaɪvəl/ adjective

Definition

Of, relating to, or of the nature of comparison; pertaining to the comparative form or comparative analysis.

Etymology

From comparative plus the suffix -al (relating to). A less common variant of 'comparative,' formed through learned coining.

Kelly Says

Comparatival is almost extinct in modern usage, replaced by the simpler 'comparative,' but linguists still use it when being very precise about grammatical forms—a sign of how scholarly language evolves and simplifies.

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