Compare
[kəm'peə] or [kəm'pɛr]
Definition
(verb.) examine and note the similarities or differences of; 'John compared his haircut to his friend's'; 'We compared notes after we had both seen the movie'.
(verb.) consider or describe as similar, equal, or analogous; 'We can compare the Han dynasty to the Romans'; 'You cannot equate success in financial matters with greed'.
(verb.) to form the comparative or superlative form on an adjective or adverb.
(verb.) be comparable; 'This car does not compare with our line of Mercedes'.
Edited by Donnie--From WordNet
Definition
(v. t.) To examine the character or qualities of, as of two or more persons or things, for the purpose of discovering their resemblances or differences; to bring into comparison; to regard with discriminating attention.
(v. t.) To represent as similar, for the purpose of illustration; to liken.
(v. t.) To inflect according to the degrees of comparison; to state positive, comparative, and superlative forms of; as, most adjectives of one syllable are compared by affixing "- er" and "-est" to the positive form; as, black, blacker, blackest; those of more than one syllable are usually compared by prefixing "more" and "most", or "less" and "least", to the positive; as, beautiful, more beautiful, most beautiful.
(v. i.) To be like or equal; to admit, or be worthy of, comparison; as, his later work does not compare with his earlier.
(v. i.) To vie; to assume a likeness or equality.
(n.) Comparison.
(n.) Illustration by comparison; simile.
(v. t.) To get; to procure; to obtain; to acquire
Checker: Roberta
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. a. [1]. Collate (followed by with), bring into comparison, estimate relatively.[2]. Liken (followed by to) show the resemblance of.
v. n. Bear a comparison, admit of comparison.
n. [Poetical.] Comparison.
Checked by Groves
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Assimilate, collate, parallel
ANT:Contrast, oppose, dissociate, disconnect, pit, distinguish
Editor: Marilyn
Definition
v.t. (Spens.) to get or provide.
v.t. to set things together to ascertain how far they agree or disagree: to liken or represent as similar: (gram.) to inflect an adjective.—v.i. to hold comparison.—n. (obs.) comparison: similitude.—adj. Com′parable that may be compared.—n. Com′parableness.—adv. Com′parably.—adj. Compar′ative pertaining to comparison: estimated by comparing with something else: not positive or absolute: (gram.) expressing more.—adv. Compar′atively.—n. Compar′ison the act of comparing: capacity of being compared: comparative estimate: a simile or figure by which two things are compared: (gram.) the inflection of an adjective.—Beyond compare without any rival.
Editor: Stephen
Examples
- You would compare them, I said, to those invalids who, having no self-restraint, will not leave off their habits of intemperance? Plato. The Republic.
- But shall we compare Saracens to Christians? Benjamin Franklin. Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin.
- This led him to review the existing state of affairs (1780) and to compare it with the state of affairs during the decline of imperial Rome. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- Compare them with Rome. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- How one person's abilities compare in quantity with those of another is none of the teacher's business. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- We may compare our different opinions. Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
- There is nothing in Latin to compare with the early descriptions of India and Siberia that are to be found in Chinese. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- The shortness of the mercury column as compared with that of water makes the mercury more convenient for both experimental and practical purposes. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- Compared with the vast gilded void of Mrs. Hatch's existence, the life of Lily's former friends seemed packed with ordered activities. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- To be man was as nothing compared to the possibilities of the creative mystery. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- When rotating at the rate of 788 revolutions in a minute, and lifting the water 19·4 feet, the greatest practical effect, compared with the power employed, was attained. Frederick C. Bakewell. Great Facts.
- For then you are dealing with living ideas: to search his text has its uses, but compared with the actual tradition of Marx it is the work of pedantry. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- The motion, compared with that of an ordinary land engine, was thus inverted. Frederick C. Bakewell. Great Facts.
- Notwithstanding the late hour, he turns over to the next page and goes on to write his deductions from this result as compared with those previously obtained. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- But in the seaport and markets mingled men of every known race, comparing their religious ideas and customs. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- It's like his writing, faltered Meg, comparing it with the note in her hand. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- Then comparing our original city, which was under a king, and the city which is under a tyrant, how do they stand as to virtue? Plato. The Republic.
- In comparing, too, the poor man's situation with that of the great, there is (always according to Mr. Eaves) another source of comfort for the former. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- The idea of comparing the market at Bruges with those of Dublin, although she had suggested it herself, caused immense scorn and derision on her part. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- There was a great comparing of papers, and turning over of leaves, by Fogg and Perker, after this statement of profit and loss. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- This constituted the completed invention of the telegraph, and on comparing the work of Profs. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- He compares himself to a smith forced to begin at the beginning by fashioning tools with which to work. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- Mr Mun compares this operation of foreign trade to the seed-time and harvest of agriculture. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- Mr. Bucket compares the faces with one eye shut up, while Mr. Bagnet smokes in stolid satisfaction. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- These he compares with Mr Wegg's leg; that gentleman looking on, as if he were being measured for a riding-boot. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- The man who compares grey with black, calls grey white; and the man who compares absence of pain with pain, calls the absence of pain pleasure. Plato. The Republic.
Editor: Patrick