| 释义 |
comparatively, adv.|kəmˈpærətɪvlɪ|
[f. prec. + -ly2.]
1. Gram. In a comparative sense; so as to express the comparative degree.
1571Golding 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.
1597Bacon 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. 1637Gillespie Eng.-Pop. Cerem. iv. iii. 14 Things considered absolutely and by themselves, not comparatively and in relation to other things. 1646Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. i. xi. 48 Comparatively unto those flames hee is but yet in Balneo. 1715Desaguliers Fires Impr. 47 The Air in Cellars, feels warm in Winter, and cold in Summer; but it is only comparatively so. 1837–9Hallam Hist. Lit. I. i. ii. §23 Books..[were] very dear, comparatively with the present value of money. 1847Grote Greece ii. xxx. (1862) III. 92 To construe this eulogium comparatively rather than positively. 1881Alken (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.
1794Sullivan View Nat. II. 68 Epicurus, how much soever he might know of mind, knew comparatively nothing of matter. 1840Barham Ingol. Leg. Pref. 3 A comparatively modern phraseology. 1874Green Short Hist. vi. 300 Erasmus was young and comparatively unknown. 1878Lecky England in 18th C. I. iii. 334 At the expense of comparatively slight loss to the country. |