compare

compare
I. verb (compared; comparing) Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French comparer, from Latin comparare to couple, compare, from compar like, from com- + par equal Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. to represent as similar ; liken <
shall I compare thee to a summer's day? — Shakespeare
>
2. a. to examine the character or qualities of especially in order to discover resemblances or differences <
compare your responses with the answers
>
b. to view in relation to <
tall compared to me
>
<
easy compared with the last test
>
3. to inflect or modify (an adjective or adverb) according to the degrees of comparison intransitive verb 1. to bear being compared <
the two don't even begin to compare
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2. to make comparisons 3. to be equal or alike <
nothing compares to you
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Synonyms: compare, contrast, collate mean to set side by side in order to show differences and likenesses. compare implies an aim of showing relative values or excellences by bringing out characteristic qualities whether similar or divergent <
compared the convention facilities of the two cities
>
. contrast implies an emphasis on differences <
contrasted the computerized system with the old filing cards
>
. collate implies minute and critical inspection in order to note points of agreement or divergence <
data from districts around the country will be collated
>
. II. noun Date: 1589 the possibility of comparing <
beauty beyond compare
>
; also something with which to be compared <
a city without compare
>

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • Compare++ — is a useful auxiliary tool for programmers and Web developers. The tool can compare text files and folders quickly. It is useful to detect differences of codes and match.[1] In the review of Softsea in the June 2, 2010, Compare++ was awarded 5… …   Wikipedia

  • compare to — compare with, compare to 1. In general usage, these two constructions tend to be used interchangeably; AmE generally prefers to when there is a choice, whereas in BrE the choice is more evenly divided. A broad distinction in principle should be… …   Modern English usage

  • Compare — Com*pare , 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • compare — [kəm per′] vt. compared, comparing [ME comparen < OFr comparer < L comparare < com , with + parare, to make equal < par: see PAR1] 1. to regard as similar; liken (to) [to compare life to a river] 2. to examine in order to observe or… …   English World dictionary

  • compare — ► VERB 1) (often compare to/with) estimate, measure, or note the similarity or dissimilarity between. 2) (compare to) point out or describe the resemblances of (something) with. 3) (usu. compare with) be similar to or have a specified… …   English terms dictionary

  • Compare — Com*pare , n. 1. Comparison. [Archaic] [1913 Webster] His mighty champion, strong beyond compare. Milton. [1913 Webster] Their small galleys may not hold compare With our tall ships. Waller. [1913 Webster] 2. Illustration by comparison; simile.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • compare to —  , compare with  These two can be usefully distinguished.  Compare to should be used to liken things, compare with to consider their similarities or differences. He compared London to New York means that he felt London to be similar to New York.… …   Bryson’s dictionary for writers and editors

  • Compare — Com*pare , 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • compare — late 14c., from O.Fr. comparer (12c., Mod.Fr. comparer), from L.L. comparare to liken, to compare (see COMPARISON (Cf. comparison)). To compare notes is from 1708. Related: Compared; comparing. Phrase without compare (attested from 1620s, but… …   Etymology dictionary

  • compare — compare, contrast, collate mean to set two or more things side by side in order to show likenesses and differences. Compare implies as an aim the showing of relative values or excellences or a bringing out of characteristic qualities, whether… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • comparé — comparé, ée [ kɔ̃pare ] adj. • de comparer ♦ Qui étudie les rapports entre plusieurs objets d étude. Anatomie comparée (des espèces différentes). Grammaire comparée, étudiant les rapports entre langues. Littérature comparée, étudiant les… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

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