representative

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English representative, from Middle French representatif and its etymon Medieval Latin repraesentātīvus. By surface analysis, represent +‎ -ative; See representation. Displaced native Old English spala (“a representative”). === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˌɹɛpɹɪˈzɛnt(ət)ɪv/ Hyphenation: rep‧re‧sen‧ta‧tive === Adjective === representative (comparative more representative, superlative most representative) 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. Representing, showing a likeness. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Noun === representative (plural representatives) A delegate. Someone who represents others as a member of a legislative or governing body. [from 17th c.] One who speaks for or acts on behalf of another in a particular (especially official) capacity. [from 17th c.] (law) An heir. [from 17th c.] (US, politics) Specifically, a member of the United States House of Representatives. [from 18th c.] A company agent who visits potential purchasers; a salesman. [from 20th c.] Something standing for something else. Something representing or standing for another; a symbol, an embodiment. [from 17th c.] A member of a particular class. Something (especially a living organism) regarded as typical of its class; a type. [from 17th c.] (mathematics) A consistent choice of element from an equivalence class, used to identify it. A substitute or analogue. [from 17th c.] ==== Synonyms ==== rep See also Thesaurus:deputy ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== represent ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== Member of Parliament === References === === Further reading === Raymond Williams (1983), “Representative”, in Keywords: A Vocabulary of Culture and Society, revised American edition, New York, N.Y.: Oxford University Press, published 1985, →ISBN, page 266. == Norwegian Bokmål == === Adjective === representative inflection of representativ: definite singular plural == Norwegian Nynorsk == === Adjective === representative inflection of representativ: definite singular plural