comparen.1
/kəmˈpɛː/, U.S. /kəmˈpɛ(ə)r/ a. An equal, rival, compeer n. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social class > [noun] > one's social equal(s)
fellowc1225
compeera1400
evenhead?a1400
checkmate?1504
comparec1540
mate1563
collateral1623
assessor1667
grade1827
Jones1879
peer1940
c1540 J. Bellenden tr. H. Boece Hyst. & Cron. Scotl. x. iv. f. 135v/1 The scule of Paris..hes na compair in erd.
c1592 Faire Em sig. B1v The enuious man, That dares auowe there liueth her compare.
1608 R. Johnson Seauen Champions 61 Penelopes compare for constancie.
a1625 J. Fletcher Valentinian iii. iii, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Bbbbbbb4/1 Such a one, that no compare dwelt with her.
ΚΠ
1533 J. Bellenden tr. Livy Hist. Rome (1822) iv. 317 Thocht thay war nocht compare to you in linage nor blude.
2. The phrase without compare, and its analogues, apparently originally belonged here = ‘without compeer’; but were afterwards referred to compare n.2 (if indeed they did not give rise to that word).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > quality of being special or extraordinary > especially or particularly [phrase] > incomparable or unique
without compare1621
of a lifetime1846
sans-pareil1962
1621 M. Wroth Countesse of Mountgomeries Urania 155 [My love of her] was without compare, had hers not equald it.
1679 J. Evelyn Mem. (1857) II. 142 The prospect and park, which is without compare.
1680 J. Evelyn Mem. (1857) II. 154 Without any compare, the most beautiful creatures..in the world.
1709 J. Strype Ann. Reformation 430 A prince..in every respect without compare.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
comparen.2
/kəmˈpɛː/, U.S. /kəmˈpɛ(ə)r/ Comparison. Chiefly in beyond (past) compare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > comparison > [noun] > capacity for comparison
comparison1340
comparation1483
compare1589
commensurablenessa1676
commensurability1841–4
comparability1843
1589 R. Greene Menaphon sig. I3 What neede compare where sweete exceedes compare?
a1593 C. Marlowe Tragicall Hist. Faustus (1604) sig. E4 Such a queene, Whose heauenly beauty passeth all compare.
1594 T. Lodge & R. Greene Looking Glasse sig. C Can any Goddesse make compare with me?
1609 W. Shakespeare Sonnets xxi. sig. C Making a coopelment of proud compare With Sunne and Moone, with earth and seas rich gems. View more context for this quotation
1621 M. Wroth Countesse of Mountgomeries Urania 268 Excellent discourse, wit beyond compare.
1654 J. Evelyn Mem. (1857) I. 320 Nor are its churches anything considerable in compare to Oxford.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vi. 705 That all may know..thy Power above compare . View more context for this quotation
1692 T. Beverley Concil. Disc. Dr. Crisp's Serm. 19 By a close and universal Compare of Scripture.
1711 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1889) III. 176 His Piety and Sanctity was beyond Compare.
1815 W. H. Ireland Scribbleomania 15 Hunger's a sauce, sir, that beggars compare.
1880 R. Broughton Second Thoughts I. i. vi. 99 Humbled, diminished past compare.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
comparev.1
/kəmˈpɛː/, U.S. /kəmˈpɛ(ə)r/ 1. † b. to compare: (a thing) for one to compare, (a thing) to be compared, comparable (to, with).
a. transitive. To speak of or represent as similar; to liken. Const. to. (With negative, in such phrases as not to be compared to, usually implying great inferiority in some respect.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > render similar to [verb (transitive)]
comparison1340
likena1382
figure1393
compare1447
comparagea1450
comparate?a1475
assemble1483
apply?1532
assimile1547
configurate1582
resemble1590
guise1606
similize1620
assimilate1630
approacha1649
consimilate1716
the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > comparison > compare [verb (transitive)] > liken
bysenc1325
anliken1340
comparison1340
liken1340
figure1393
like?c1425
semblea1440
compare1447
comparagea1450
signifya1470
comparate?a1475
figurate?a1500
resemble1533
patterna1586
symbolize with1605
assimilatec1616
similize1620
symbolize1651
similarize1806
1447 O. Bokenham Lyvys Seyntys (1835) 9 Seynt Margrete On to that gemme [may] weel comparyd be.
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) i. 403 Off manheid and mekill mycht Till Ector dar I nane comper.
a1538 T. Starkey Dial. Pole & Lupset (1989) 31 The one may..be comparyd to the body & the other to the soule.
1611 Bible (King James) Prov. iii. 15 All the things thou canst desire, are not to be compared vnto her. View more context for this quotation
1699 W. Dampier Voy. & Descr. i. vii. 125 He compares it to a Sloe, in shape and taste.
1855 W. H. Prescott Hist. Reign Philip II of Spain I. i. iv. 113 He greatly offended the Flemings by comparing their ships to muscle-shells.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > comparison > [adverb] > properly to be compared
to compare1484
comparably1612
1484 W. Caxton tr. G. de la Tour-Landry Bk. Knight of Tower (1971) lv. 80 Suche men or wymmen be to compare to the wyf of Lothe.
1711 E. Budgell Spectator No. 162. ¶9 An Imitation of the best Authors, is not to compare with a good Original.
c. intransitive. To draw a comparison. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > comparison > compare [verb (intransitive)]
compare1597
similize1686
similitudinize1830
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II ii. i. 186 Or else he neuer would compare betweene. View more context for this quotation
2.
a. transitive. To mark or point out the similarities and differences of (two or more things); to bring or place together (actually or mentally) for the purpose of noting the similarities and differences. Const. with (or to) another; together.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > comparison > compare [verb (transitive)]
evenOE
comparisonc1374
measurea1382
remenec1390
compare1509
confer?1531
to lay togethera1568
lay1577
paragona1586
paragonize1589
set1589
sympathize1600
confront1604
to name on (also in) the same day1609
collate1612
to lay down by1614
sampler1628
to set together1628
matcha1649
run1650
vie1685
to put together1690
1509 A. Barclay Brant's Shyp of Folys (Pynson) f. lxxxx Wylt thou heuyn compare with [t]his paynfull lyfe.
?1531 J. Frith Disput. Purgatorye Prol. sig. a6v Compare the scriptures to gether whych I haue brought to confyrme my purposse.
a1640 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy (1651) i. ii. iii. xiv. 124 Whats..the world it self..if compared to the least visible Star in the Firmament?
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ii. 921 To compare Great things with small. View more context for this quotation
1710 R. Steele Tatler No. 126. ⁋1 I stole looks at each Lady, as if I was comparing their Perfections.
1850 R. W. Emerson Montaigne in Representative Men iv. 152 In England..property stands for more, compared with personal ability, than in any other [country].
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps ii. x. 283 To compare the motion of the eastern and western halves of the glacier.
1879 G. C. Harlan Eyesight viii. 106 This cramping tendency of town as compared to country.
b. to compare notes (often figurative): to compare each other's observations or impressions; hence, to exchange views, confer, discuss.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > conversation > converse [verb (intransitive)] > confer, consult, or deliberate
roundc1275
to speak togetherc1275
to take counselc1290
counsel1297
treat1297
advisea1393
communea1393
to take deliberationc1405
common1416
to put (also bring, lay, set, etc.) their (also our, your) heads togetherc1425
janglec1440
bespeak1489
parliamenta1492
intercommonc1540
confer1545
parle1558
consult1565
imparl1572
break parle1594
handle1596
emparley1600
to confer notes1650
to compare notes1709
powwow1780
to get together1816
palaver1877
the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > advice > give advice [verb (intransitive)] > consult or take advice > together or with another
to lay‥heads togetherc1381
deliberc1405
to cast their heads (together)1535
deliberate1538
to compare notes1709
1709 S. Centlivre Busie Body i. i. 6 Over a Bottle we'll compare Notes.
1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 423. ⁋2 They meet and compare Notes upon your Carriage.
1856 C. Reade It is never too Late III. xxxii. 316 Everybody put questions to everybody, and all compared notes.
1886 M. E. Braddon One Thing Needful iv We will compare notes three years hence, and I hope I shall convince you that you were mistaken.
3. Grammar. To form the comparative and superlative degrees of (an adjective or adverb). Cf. comparison n.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > other grammatical categories or concepts > use other category or concept [verb (transitive)] > compare
compare1612
1612 J. Brinsley Posing of Parts f. 23v Aduerbs comming of Nouns [= Adjectives] which are compared irregularly, do follow their manner of comparing.
1765 W. Ward Ess. Gram. 347 Words of one syllable are usually compared by er, and est.
1795 L. Murray Eng. Gram. 74 Some adverbs are compared, viz. ‘Soon, sooner, soonest..’. And those ending in ly, are comparad [sic] by more and most.
4.
a. reflexive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > equality or equivalence > equal [verb (reflexive)] > rival
compare1470
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur viii. xi Whanne the kynge sawe hym al redy armed..the kynge said nay Tramtryst hit wille not auaile to compare the ageynst me.
b. intransitive (for reflexive). To be compared; to bear comparison; to vie with, rival.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > comparison > compare [verb (intransitive)] > admit of comparison
parec1450
comparea1500
march1567
to deserve to carry the buckler1642
nick1887
to side up with1895
stack1896
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xx. 317 Thei ben so fewe that thei may not compare with hem.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry iv. f. 167 In dayntinesse and goodnesse of meate, the [turkey] Hennes may compare with eyther the Goose, or the Pehenne, and the Cocke farre excell them.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. v. sig. Q8 Art stryuing to compayre, With nature.
?1795 H. Macneill Scotland's Scaith 8 Wha wi' Jeanie cou'd compare?
1876 W. S. Jevons Logic 8 As athletes men cannot for a moment compare with horses or tigers or monkeys.
1891 N.E.D. at Compare Mod. This compares favourably with the inertness of England. A landscape which will compare not unfavourably with the masterpieces of the Dutch School.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
† comparev.2
Obsolete. rare.
1. transitive. To get, obtain, acquire.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > acquisition > obtain or acquire [verb (transitive)]
wieldeOE
haveeOE
ofgoOE
oweOE
addlec1175
winc1175
avela1200
to come by ——a1225
covera1250
oughtc1275
reachc1275
hentc1300
purchasec1300
to come to ——c1330
getc1330
pickc1330
chevise1340
fang1340
umbracec1350
chacche1362
perceivea1382
accroacha1393
achievea1393
to come at ——a1393
areach1393
recovera1398
encroach?a1400
chevec1400
enquilec1400
obtainc1422
recurec1425
to take upc1425
acquirea1450
encheve1470
sortise1474
conques?a1500
tain1501
report1508
conquest1513
possess1526
compare1532
cough1550
coff1559
fall1568
reap1581
acquist1592
accrue1594
appurchasec1600
recoil1632
to get at ——1666
to come into ——1672
rise1754
net1765
to fall in for1788
to scare up1846
access1953
1532 W. Thynne in Wks. Chaucer Ded. sig. Aiij/1 The..glorie hertofore compared, and..adquired by dyuers princes.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. iv. sig. D4 Both from backe and belly still did spare, To fill his bags, and richesse to compare.
2. To set forth, allege.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > assertion without proof > [verb (transitive)]
ledgea1300
vouch1390
allege?a1400
suppose1411
pretendc1449
to-layc1450
reckonc1480
compare1536
obtend1573
make1593
represent1651
to trump up1697
1536 Narr. Pilgr. of Grace in Eng. Hist. Rev. Apr. (1890) By lyke lettre to the said erle comparing in the same the said order takin at Doncaster.
1536 Narr. Pilgr. of Grace in Eng. Hist. Rev. Apr. (1890) By comparing cause of newe comocions, supposed to be maid by the said Aske, wich was vntrew.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
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