Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Compare
Com-pare′
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Compared
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Comparing
.] 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.
Compare
dead happiness with living woe. Shakespeare
The place he found beyond expression bright,
Compared
with aught on earth. Milton.
Compare
our faces and be judge yourself. Shakespeare
To
compare
great things with small. Milton.
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.
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.
Com-pare′
,Verb.
I.
1.
To be like or equal; to admit, or be worthy of, comparison;
as, his later work does not
. compare
with his earlierI should
compare
with him in excellence. Shakespeare
2.
To vie; to assume a likeness or equality.
Shall pack horses . . .
compare
with Cæsars? Shakespeare
Com-pare′
,Noun.
1.
Comparison.
[Archaic]
His mighty champion, strong beyond
compare
. Milton.
Their small galleys may not hold
With our tall ships.
compare
With our tall ships.
Waller.
2.
Illustration by comparison; simile.
[Obs.]
Rhymes full of protest, of oath, and big
compare
. Shakespeare
Beyond compare
. See
Beyond comparison
, under Comparison
.Webster 1828 Edition
Compare
COMPARE
, v.t.1.
To set or bring things together in fact or in contemplation, and to examine the relations they bear to each other, with a view to ascertain their agreement or disagreement; as, to compare two pieces of cloth, two tables, or coins; to compare reasons and arguments; to compare pleasure with pain.in comparing movable things, it is customary to bring them together, for examination. In comparing thins immovable or remote, and abstract ideas, we bring them together in the mind, as far as we are able, and consider them in connection. Comparison therefore is really collation, or it includes it.
2.
To liken; to represent as similar, for the purpose of illustration.Solon compared the people to the sea, and orators and counselors to the winds; for that the sea would be calm and quiet, it the winds did not trouble it.
In this sense compare is followed by to.
3.
To examine the relations of thins to each other, with a view to discover their relative proportions, quantities or qualities; as, to compare two kingdoms, or two mountains with each other; to compare the number ten with fifteen; to compare ice with crystal; to compare a clown with a dancing master or a dandy.In this sense compare is followed by with.
4.
In grammar, to form an adjective in the degrees of comparison; as blackish, black, blacker, blackest.5.
To get; to procure; to obtain; as in Latin.COMPARE
,Verb.
I.
1.
To hold comparison; to be like or equal.2.
Simile; similitude; illustration by comparison.[This noun is in use, but cannot be considered as elegant.]