n. a similarity allowing comparison; an approximate equivalence.
Syn. -- comparison, compare, equivalence. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. [ L. comparabilis: cf. F. comparable. ] Capable of being compared; worthy of comparison. [ 1913 Webster ]

There is no blessing of life comparable to the enjoyment of a discreet and virtuous friend. Addison.

-- Com"pa*ra*ble*ness, n. -- Com"pa*ra*bly, adv. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. comparatum, fr. comparatus, p. p. of comparare. See 1st Compare. ] (Logic) One of two things compared together. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. comparatio. See Compare to get. ] A making ready; provision. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Gram.) The comparative degree of adjectives and adverbs; also, the form by which the comparative degree is expressed; as, stronger, wiser, weaker, more stormy, less windy, are all comparatives. [ 1913 Webster ]

In comparatives is expressed a relation of two; as in superlatives there is a relation of many. Angus. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An equal; a rival; a compeer. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Gerard ever was
His full comparative. Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. One who makes comparisons; one who affects wit. [ Obs. ] “Every beardless vain comparative.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. comparativus: cf. F. comparatif. ] 1. Of or pertaining to comparison. “The comparative faculty.” Glanvill. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Proceeding from, or by the method of, comparison; as, the comparative sciences; the comparative anatomy. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Estimated by comparison; relative; not positive or absolute, as compared with another thing or state. [ 1913 Webster ]

The recurrence of comparative warmth and cold. Whewell. [ 1913 Webster ]

The bubble, by reason of its comparative levity to the fluid that incloses it, would necessarily ascend to the top. Bentley. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Gram.) Expressing a degree greater or less than the positive degree of the quality denoted by an adjective or adverb. The comparative degree is formed from the positive by the use of -er, more, or less; as, brighter, more bright, or less bright. [ 1913 Webster ]

Comparative sciences, those which are based on a comprehensive comparison of the range of objects or facts in any branch or department, and which aim to study out and treat of the fundamental laws or systems of relation pervading them; as, comparative anatomy, comparative physiology, comparative philology. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. According to estimate made by comparison; relatively; not positively or absolutely. [ 1913 Webster ]

With but comparatively few exceptions. Prescott. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L., a comparer. ] (Physics) An instrument or machine for comparing anything to be measured with a standard measure; -- applied especially to a machine for comparing standards of length. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Compared p. pr. & vb. n. Comparing. ] [ L.comparare, fr. compar like or equal to another; com- + par equal: cf. F. comparer. See Pair, Peer an equal, and cf. Compeer. ] 1. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Compare dead happiness with living woe. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The place he found beyond expression bright,
Compared with aught on earth. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Compare our faces and be judge yourself. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

To compare great things with small. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To represent as similar, for the purpose of illustration; to liken. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Gram.) 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.

Syn. -- 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 because of a real or fanciful 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. Burke compares the parks of London to the lungs of the human body. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To be like or equal; to admit, or be worthy of, comparison; as, his later work does not compare with his earlier. [ 1913 Webster ]

I should compare with him in excellence. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To vie; to assume a likeness or equality. [ 1913 Webster ]

Shall pack horses . . . compare with Cæsars? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]