All 4 Uses of

relative
in
Howards End

Give my letter to Helen, and say whatever you feel yourself, but do keep clear of the relatives.†
Part 2 *

relatives = people related by blood or marriage

So she stopped, or rather began to fool on other subjects, until her long-suffering relatives drove her upstairs.†
Part 8

When they told him of their search, he only chaffed Tibby and the Schlegels generally, and declared that it was "just like Helen" to lead her relatives a dance.†
Part 34

Leonard realised that they need never starve, because it would be too painful for his relatives.†
Part 41

Definitions:

(1) (relative as in: the relative importance)
compared with something else (not an absolute value or not complete)
(2) (relative as in: they are relatives)
connected
in various senses, including:
- a person related by blood or marriage -- as in "The hospital won't let me visit her because I'm not a relative."
- a plant or animal related by origin or grouping -- "The closest relative of the dog is the gray wolf."
(3) (relative as in: questions relative to the topic)
related to
(4) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)
meaning too rare to warrant focus:

More specialized and less common senses of the word are found in philosophy, grammar, and music. Consult a comprehensive dictionary if you wish to see those. All senses have to do with relationships.