different between respective vs representative

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Medieval Latin respectivus, from Latin respectus. Equivalent to respect +? -ive.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /???sp?kt?v/
• Rhymes: -?kt?v
• Hyphenation: re?spec?tive

Adjective

respective (not comparable)

1. Relating to particular persons or things, each to each; particular; own.

   They returned to their respective places of abode.
2. (obsolete) Noticing with attention; careful; wary.
   • c. 1559-1570, Edwin Sandys, letter to Bernard Gilpin

     But if you looke upon the estate of the church of England with a respective eye , you cannot with a good conscience refuse this charge imposed upon you

3. (obsolete) Looking toward; having reference to; relative, not absolute.

   the respective connections of society

4. (obsolete) Fitted to awaken respect.
   • 1599, William Shakespeare, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, IV. iv. 192:

     What should it be that he respects in her / But I can make respective in myself,

5. (obsolete) Rendering respect; respectful; regardful.
   • a. 1598, William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, instructions to his son Robert Cecil, when young

     With thy equals familiar, yet respective.

Synonyms

• (relating to particular persons or things): corresponding, relevant, specific

Derived terms

• respectively
• respectiveness
• irrespective

Translations

Anagrams

• perceivest

French

Adjective

respective

1. feminine singular of respectif

German

Adverb

respective

1. Obsolete spelling of respektive

English

Etymology

From Old French representatif.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /???p???z?nt(?t)?v/
• 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.

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. (generally) 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.]
      • 1751, Tobias Smollett, The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle, I.1:

        This pathetic remonstrance had the desired effect upon his representative, who spared no pains to fulfill the request of the deceased […] .

   4. (US, politics) Specifically, a member of the US 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. Something (especially a living organism]] regarded as typical of its class; a type. [from 17th c.]
   3. A substitute or analogue. [from 17th c.]

Synonyms

• rep
• See also Thesaurus:deputy

Derived terms

• legal representative

Related terms

• House of Representatives
• represent
• representative body
• Member of Parliament

Translations

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