Definition of: representative

(rep′ri·zen′tə·tiv) adjective
1. Typifying or typical of a group or class.
2. Acting, having the power or authority to act, or qualified to act, as an agent.
3. Made up of representatives.
4. Based on or pertaining to the political principle of representation.
5. Presenting, portraying, or representing, or capable of so doing.
6. Having to do with cognition of a memory image: distinguished from presentative.
—noun
1. One who or that which is fit to stand as a type; a typical instance.
2. One who is a qualified agent of any kind.
3. A member of a deliberative or legislative body chosen by vote of the people; specifically, in the United States, a member of the lower house of Congress or of a State legislature. See synonyms under DELEGATE.
—rep′re·sen′ta·tive·ly adverb
—rep′·re·sen′ta·tive·ness noun