Webster's English Dictionary

representative

1. rep.re.sen.ta.tive \.rep-ri-'zent-*t-iv\ aj 1: serving to represent  2: 
   standing or acting for another esp. through delegated authority  3: of, 
   based upon, or constituting a government in which the many are repr esented 
   by persons chosen from among them usu. by election 4: of or relating to 
   representation or representationalism  - rep.re.sent.a.tive.ly av
2. representative n 1: a typical example of a group, class, or quality : 
   SPECIMEN  2: one that represents another or others : as  2a1: one that 
   represents a constituency as a member of a legislative body  2a2: a member 
   of the house of representatives of the U.S. Congress or a sta te 
   legislature 2b: one that represents another as agent, deputy, substitute, 
   or delegate u su. being invested with the authority of the principal 2c: 
   one that represents a business organization  2d: one that represents 
   another as successor or heir