Dictionary


com•pare



Pronunciation: (kum-pâr'), [key]
—v., -pared, -par•ing,
—n.

—v.t.
1. to examine (two or more objects, ideas, people, etc.) in order to note similarities and differences: to compare two pieces of cloth; to compare the governments of two nations.
2. to consider or describe as similar; liken: Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
3. Gram.to form or display the degrees of comparison of (an adjective or adverb).

—v.i.
1. to be worthy of comparison; be held equal: Dekker's plays cannot compare with Shakespeare's.
2. to appear in a similar standing: His recital certainly compares with the one he gave last year.
3. to differ in quality or accomplishment as specified: Their development compares poorly with that of neighbor nations.
4. to vie; rival.
5. to make a comparison: The only way we can say which product is better is to compare.
6. compare notes. See note (def. 25).

—n.
comparison: Her beauty is beyond compare.

Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.

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