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.

From Nature

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

From Literature

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

From Slate

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

From Washington Times

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

From US News