a. The Comparative denotes a considerable or excessive degree of a quality: as,---brevior, rather short; audacior, too bold.
b. The Superlative (of eminence) often denotes a very high degree of a quality without implying a distinct comparison: as,---mons altissimus, a very high mountain.
NOTE: The Superlative oi Eminence is much used in complimentary references to persons and may often be translated by the simple positive.
c. With quam, vel, or unus the Superlative denotes the highest possible degree:---
NOTE 1: A high degree of a quality is also denoted by such adverbs as admodum, valde, very, or by per or prae in composition (sec. 267 d. 1): as,---valde malus, very bad=pessimus; permagnus, very great; praealtus, very high (or deep).
NOTE 2: A low degree of a quality is indicated by sub in composition: as,---subrusticus, rather clownish, or by minus, not very; minime, not at all; parum, not enough, non satis, not much.
NOTE 3: The comparative maiores (for maiores natu, greater by birth) has the special signification of ancestors; so minores often means descendants.
For the Superlative with quisque, see sec. 313. b. For the construction of a substantive after a Comparative, see sec. sec. 406, 407; for that of a clause, see sec. 535. c, 571. a. For the Ablative of Degree of Difference with a Comparative (multo, etc.), see sec. 414.