representative

English Online Dictionary. What means representative‎? What does representative mean?

English

Etymology

From Middle English (implied in representatyfliche), from Old French representatif. By surface analysis, represent +‎ -ative; See representation.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌɹɛpɹɪˈzɛnt(ət)ɪv/
• (Indic) IPA^(key): /ripˈrezeɳʈeːʈiv/, /ˈreprizeɳˌʈeːʈiv/
• Hyphenation: rep‧re‧sen‧ta‧tive

Adjective

representative (comparative more representative, superlative most representative)

1. Typical; having the same properties or interest as a larger group.
   • c. 1977, Carl Parker (attributed quote)

     If you took all the fools out of the legislature, it wouldn't be a representative body anymore.

2. Representing, showing a likeness.

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

representative (plural representatives)

1. A delegate.
   1. Someone who represents others as a member of a legislative or governing body. [from 17th c.]
   2. One who speaks for or acts on behalf of another in a particular (especially official) capacity. [from 17th c.]

   3. (law) An heir. [from 17th c.]
   4. (US, politics) Specifically, a member of the United States House of Representatives. [from 18th c.]

   5. A company agent who visits potential purchasers; a salesman. [from 20th c.]
2. Something standing for something else.
   1. Something representing or standing for another; a symbol, an embodiment. [from 17th c.]
   2. A member of a particular class.
      1. Something (especially a living organism) regarded as typical of its class; a type. [from 17th c.]
      2. (mathematics) A consistent choice of element from an equivalence class, used to identify it.
   3. A substitute or analogue. [from 17th c.]

Synonyms

• rep
• See also Thesaurus:deputy

Derived terms

Related terms

• represent

Translations

See also

• Member of Parliament

Further reading

• "representative" in Raymond Williams, Keywords (revised), 1983, Fontana Press, page 266.

Norwegian Bokmål

Adjective

representative

1. inflection of representativ:
   1. definite singular
   2. plural

Norwegian Nynorsk

Adjective

representative

1. inflection of representativ:
   1. definite singular
   2. plural