adjective

1. related each to the other; dependent upon or referring to each other to stay in the same relative positions
2. having to do with; pertinent; relevant documents relative to a legal case
3. regarded in relation to something else; comparative living in relative comfort
4. meaningful only in relationship; not absolute “cold” is a relative term
5. Gram.
   1. designating a word that introduces a dependent clause and refers to an antecedent “which” is a relative pronoun in “the hat which you bought”
   2. introduced by such a word a relative clause

Etymology: < MFr or L: MFr relatif < L relativus < L relatus: see relate

noun

1. a relative word, term, or thing
2. a person connected with another by blood, marriage, etc.; kinsman or kinswoman
3. a plant or animal in the same taxonomic division as another