—adj.
1 typical of a class or category.
2 containing typical specimens of all or many classes (a representative sample).
3 a consisting of elected deputies etc. b based on the representation of a nation etc. by such deputies (representative government).
4 (foll. by of) serving as a portrayal or symbol of (representative of their attitude to work).
5 that presents or can present ideas to the mind (imagination is a representative faculty).
—n.
1 (foll. by of) a sample, specimen, or typical embodiment or analogue of.
2 a the agent of a person or society. b a commercial traveller.
3 a delegate; a substitute.
4 a deputy in a representative assembly.
5 (of art) representational.
Derivatives:
representatively adv. representativeness n.
Etymology: ME f. OF representatif -ive or med.L repraesentativus (as REPRESENT)
Useful english dictionary. 2012.