representative

comparative more representative · superlative most representative

1. Typical; having the same properties or interest as a larger group.

   If you took all the fools out of the legislature, it wouldn't be a representative body anymore.

   c. 1977, Carl Parker (attributed quote)

   1 more example

   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.

   1964 December, “New Books”, in Modern Railways, page 429

2. Representing, showing a likeness.

   the representative faculty of the human imagination

   1 more example

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

plural representatives

1. A delegate.
   1. Someone who represents others as a member of a legislative or governing body.First known use 17th c.

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

      1 more example

      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.

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

   2. One who speaks for or acts on behalf of another in a particular (especially official) capacity.First known use 17th c.

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

   3. lawAn heir.First known use 17th c.

      This pathetic remonstrance had the desired effect upon his representative, who spared no pains to fulfill the request of the deceased […].

      1751, [Tobias] Smollett, The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle […], volume (please specify |volume=I to IV), London: Harrison and Co., […], →OCLC

   4. USgovernmentSpecifically, a member of the United States House of Representatives.First known use 18th c.

      All representatives face re-election every two years.

   5. A company agent who visits potential purchasers; a salesman.First known use 20th c.

      Synonyms: minister

   6. UKlifestyleA worker at a holiday resort who escorts guests and leads activities.
2. Something standing for something else.
   1. Something representing or standing for another; a symbol, an embodiment.First known use 17th c.

      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.

      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

      1 more example

      […] whereas a tiny group with no roots in the working class was entitled, so long as it professed the Marxist ideology, to declare itself the sole representative of the proletariat and the sole embodiment of proletarian consciousness.

      1978 [1976], Leszek Kołakowski, translated by P[aul] S[teven] Falla, Main Currents of Marxism, volume II: The Golden Age, Oxford: Clarendon Press, translation of Główne nurty marksizmu: rozwój (in Polish), →ISBN, →OCLC, page 390

   2. A member of a particular class.

      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.

      2019 February 27, Drachinifel, 28:07 from the start, in The Battle of Samar - Odds? What are those?, archived from the original on 03 Nov 2022

   3. Something (especially a living organism) regarded as typical of its class; a type.First known use 17th c.
   4. mathematicsA consistent choice of element from an equivalence class, used to identify it.
   5. A substitute or analogue.First known use 17th c.