representative

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

• IPA^(key): /ˌɹɛpɹɪˈzɛnt(ət)ɪv/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: rep‧re‧sen‧ta‧tive

representative (comparative more representative, superlative most representative)

1. Typical; having the same properties or interest as a larger group.
   • 1964 December, “New Books”, in Modern Railways, page 429:

     THE POCKET ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF BRITISH STEAM LOCOMOTIVES. By O. S. Nock. Blandford Press. 18s.
     Mr. Nock, he remarks in his preface, was "incredulous" when the idea of this book of 192 colour gravure illustrations of a representative collection of British steam locomotives from Locomotion to BR's Evening Star was broached to him.

   • 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.

   Are you sure this paper is representative of your child's writing?

   the representative faculty of the human imagination

representative (plural representatives)

1. A delegate.
   1. Someone who represents others as a member of a legislative or governing body. [from 17th c.]

      She served four terms as representative of her local at the national union convention.

      • 2008, BioWare, Mass Effect, Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →ISBN, →OCLC, PC, scene: Quarians: Government Codex entry:

        Each vessel in the Fleet has the right to send representatives to the Conclave aboard the flagship. The number of representatives is based on crew size. Larger clans, with bigger ships and more votes, form the cores of political blocs. Opposition comes from the Outriders' Coalition, with delegates from thousands of smaller ships.

   2. One who speaks for or acts on behalf of another in a particular (especially official) capacity. [from 17th c.]

      I will send a representative to work out the details of the contract.

   3. (law) An heir. [from 17th c.]
      • 1751, [Tobias] Smollett, The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle […], volumes (please specify |volume=I to IV), London: Harrison and Co., […], →OCLC:

        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 United States House of Representatives. [from 18th c.]

      All representatives face re-election every two years.

   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.]
      • 1838 (date written), L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “(please specify the page)”, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […], published 1842, →OCLC, pages 131–133:

        The furniture was the same when she married..[ ]..The only representatives of to-day, were two large and comfortable arm-chairs, and a few elegant-looking trifles, the work of the Misses Granard.

   2. A member of a particular class.
      • 2019 February 27, Drachinifel, 28:07 from the start, in The Battle of Samar - Odds? What are those?‎, archived from the original on 3 November 2022:

        The USS Manila Bay, in the next group south of Taffy 3, services aircraft from eleven different squadrons that aren't attached to her own flight group, and, at one point, has representatives from no less than four other carriers' airgroups on her flight deck at the same time.

      1. Something (especially a living organism) regarded as typical of its class; a type. [from 17th c.]
   3. A substitute or analogue. [from 17th c.]

• rep
• See also Thesaurus:deputy

• represent

• Member of Parliament

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

representative

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

representative

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