comparison [kuhm-par-uh-suhn] SynonymsWord Origin noun
- the act of comparing.
- the state of being compared.
- a likening; illustration by similitude; comparative estimate or statement.
- Rhetoric. the considering of two things with regard to some characteristic that is common to both, as the likening of a hero to a lion in courage.
- capability of being compared or likened.
- Grammar.
- the function of an adverb or adjective that is used to indicate degrees of superiority or inferiority in quality, quantity, or intensity.
- the patterns of formation involved therein.
- the degrees of a particular word, displayed in a fixed order, as mild, milder, mildest, less mild, least mild.
Origin of comparison 1300–50; Middle English comparesoun Old French comparaison Latin comparātiōn- (stem of comparātiō). See compare, -ation Related formsin·ter·com·par·i·son, nounpre·com·par·i·son, nounre·com·par·i·son, nounSynonyms for comparison 5. likeness, resemblance, similarity. British Dictionary definitions for inter-comparison comparison noun
- the act or process of comparing
- the state of being compared
- comparable quality or qualities; likenessthere was no comparison between them
- a rhetorical device involving comparison, such as a simile
- Also called: degrees of comparison grammar the listing of the positive, comparative, and superlative forms of an adjective or adverb
- bear comparison or stand comparison to be sufficiently similar in class or range to be compared with (something else), esp favourably
Word Origin and History for inter-comparison comparison n.
mid-14c., from Old French comparaison (12c.), from Latin comparationem (nominative comparatio), noun of action from past participle stem of comparare “make equal with, liken, bring together for a contest,” literally “to couple together, to form in pairs,” from com- “with” (see com-) + parare “prepare” (see pare).