relatively, adv.
(ˈrɛlətɪvlɪ)
[f. prec. + -ly2.]
1. In a relative manner, in relation to something else; comparatively: a. with vbs.
| 1561 T. Norton Calvin's Inst. i. xiii. (1634) 58 The name of God is there relatively taken, and therefore restrained to the Person of the Father. 1591 Percivall Sp. Dict. E iv, This word Lo is often vsed relatiuely, and yet hath no agreement with any antecedent. 1660 R. Coke Justice Vind. 49 Here we must look upon Grotius either naturally, or relatively. 1701 Norris Ideal World i. v. 243 The essence of God may be considered either absolutely or relatively. 1794 Paley Evid. ii. ix. §2 (1817) 239 Not only absolutely, but..relatively, in comparison, that is with those among whom they exercise their office. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. v. I. 585 But, though they have positively advanced, they have relatively gone back. 1861 Pearson Early & Mid. Ages Eng. (1867) I. 15 Arts and sciences can only be talked of relatively among a people such as the Britons were. |
b. with adjs. (Sometimes hyphened.)
| 1825 Bentham Offic. Apt. Maximized, Indications (1830) 78 note, Justice,..denied to the relatively poor,..sold at an enormous price to the relatively rich. 1862 Spencer First Princ. ii. xiii. §104 (1867) 301 Parts which..consist of relatively-simple molecules, are seats of but little structure. 1884 L. J. Jennings Croker Papers I. iii. 85 It was very difficult to induce..the public to regard them as worth the relatively small sum..paid for them. |
2. In relation, or with reference, to something.
| 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. 191 These lateralities in man are not onely fallible, if relatively determined unto each others, but made in reference unto the heavens. 1678 Cudworth Intell. Syst. i. i. 11 Those Sensible things..are all generated or made Relatively to the Sentient. 1726 Bolingbroke Study Hist. ii. I. (1752) 38 They saw the measures they took singly, and unrelatively, or relatively alone to some immediate object. 1822 J. H. Newman Lett. (1891) I. 69 They know very little of me..who think I do not put a value on myself relatively to others. 1873 Maxwell Electr. & Magn. (1881) I. 47 In a conductor the electrification is free to move relatively to the conductor. |
b. In proportion to.
| 1869 H. F. Tozer Highl. Turkey I. 257 All should be ready to serve, considering the length of the frontier they have to defend relatively to their numbers. |
So ˈrelativeness, relativity.
| 1673 H. More App. to Antid. agst. Idolatry 31 Since this Relative Latria (because of its Relativeness) is incompetible to God. 1886 Amer. Jrnl. Philol. VII. 444 For a later period..the expression ‘dialect’ is one of peculiar relativeness. |