comparative method

noun

Historical Linguistics.

1. a body of procedures and criteria used by linguists to determine whether and how two or more languages are related and to reconstruct forms of their hypothetical parent language.

Example Sentences

Historical linguists seek to determine the relationships between languages, and usually take an approach called the comparative method.

Read more on Nature

A methodology that has proved useful involves the comparative method and so-called natural experiments.

Read more on Literature

Second, Wood deployed what she calls the “comparative method” of Title VII interpretation.

Read more on Slate

“If we understand its biology, then we can use the comparative method to understand and predict how it could be used.”

Read more on Washington Times

"If we understand its biology, then we can use the comparative method to understand and predict how it could be used."

Read more on US News