Compare | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Com-pāre', v. t.

verbtransitive

(4), v. t. [imp. & p. p. COMPARED; p. pr. & vb. n. COMPARING.] [Lat. comparare, from compar, like or equal to another, from com and par, equal; Fr. comparer, Pr., Sp., & Pg. comparar, It. comparare.]

Sense 1. To examine the mutual relations of, especially for the purpose of discovering resemblances or differences.

Compare dead happiness with living woe. Shak.

The place he found beyond expression bright, Compared with aught on earth. Milton.

Sense 2. To represent as similar, for the purpose of illustration; to liken.

Solon compared the people unto the sea, and orators and counselors to the winds; for that the sea would be calm and quiet if the winds did not trouble it. Bacon.

Sense 3. (Gram.) To inflect according to the degrees of comparison; as, black, blacker, blackest.

Sense 4. [Lat. comparare, to prepare, to procure. See COMPARATION.] To get; to procure; to obtain; to acquire. [Obs.] “To fill his bags, and riches to compare.” Spenser.

Com-pâre', v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. 1. To hold comparison; to be like or equal; to admit of comparison.

I should compare with him in excellence. Shak.

Sense 2. To vie. [Obs.] “Art striving to compare with nature.” Spencer.

Synonyms—To COMPARE, COMPARE WITH, COMPARE TO. Things are compared with each other in order to learn their relative value or excellence. Thus we compare Cicero with Demosthenes, for the sake of deciding which was the greater orator. One thing is compared to another in order to show the likeness or similarity which exists between them. Thus it has been common to compare the eloquence of Demosthenes to a thunderbolt, on account of its force, and the eloquence of Cicero to a conflagration, on account of its splendor. “In point of learning, he is not to be compared with his rival candidate, though he is far superior to him in natural abilities.” “Burke compares the parks of London to the lungs of the human body.”

Com-pâre′, n.

noun

n. 1. The state of being compared; possibility of entering into comparison, or being considered as equal; comparison.

Sole Eve, associate sole, to me beyond Compare above all living creatures dear. Milton.

Their small galleys may not hold compare With our tall ships. Waller.

Sense 2. Illustration by comparison; simile. [Obs.]

“Protest, oath, and big compare.” Shak.