late 14c., "a relative pronoun," from Old French relatif (13c.), from Late Latin relativus "having reference or relation," from Latin relatus, past participle of referre "to refer" (see refer). Meaning "person in the same family" first recorded 1650s.
relative (adj.)
early 15c., "having reference," from Middle French relatif and directly from Late Latin relativus (see relative (n.)). Meaning "compared to each other" is from 1590s; that of "depending on a relationship to something else" is from 1610s.
雙語例句
1. An employer can demand written certification that the relative is really ill.
雇主可以要求出具書面證明，證實(shí)員工的親人確實(shí)病了。
來自柯林斯例句
2. Economic reform has brought relative wealth to peasant farmers.
經(jīng)濟(jì)改革給農(nóng)民帶來了相對的財(cái)富。
來自柯林斯例句
3. The person can transfer from wheelchair to seat with relative ease.
那個(gè)人可以比較輕松地從輪椅上移到座位上。
來自柯林斯例句
4. The pheasant is a close relative of the Guinea hen.
雉與珍珠雞有很近的親緣關(guān)系。
來自柯林斯例句
5. The weak dollar means American goods are relative bargains for foreigners.