Definition of: relative

(rel′ə·tiv) adjective
1. Having connection; pertinent: an inquiry relative to one's health.
2. Resulting from or depending upon relation; comparative: a relative truth.
3. Intelligible only in relation to each other: the relative terms “father” and “son.”
4. Referring to, relating to, or qualifying an antecedent term: a relative pronoun.
5. Having the same key signature, as major and minor keys and scales.
—noun
1. One who is related; a kinsman.
2. A relative word or term; especially, a relative pronoun. See synonyms under KINDRED, KINSMAN. [<F relatif <LL relativus <L relatus]
—rel′a·tive·ly adverb
—rel′a·tive·ness noun