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.
例文
1. An employer can demand written certification that the relative is really ill.
雇用主は、従業員の肉親が確かに病気であることを証明する書面証明書を要求することができる。
2.Economic reform has brought relative wealth to peasant farmers.
経済改革は農民に相対的な富をもたらした。
3.The person can transfer from wheelchair to seat with relative ease.
その人は車椅子から座席に簡単に移動することができます。
4.The pheaant is a close relative of the Guinea hen.
キジは真珠鶏と近い親縁関係にある。
5.The weak dollar means American goods are relative bargains for foreigners.