01 n. The act of comparing; an examination of two or more objects with the view of discovering the resemblances or differences; relative estimate.
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1.
The act of comparing; an examination of two or more objects with the view of discovering the resemblances or differences; relative estimate.“As sharp legal practitioners, no class of human beings can bear comparison with them.” — Macaulay.“The miracles of our Lord and those of the Old Testament afford many interesting points of comparison.” — Trench.
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2.
The state of being compared; a relative estimate; also, a state, quality, or relation, admitting of being compared; as, to bring a thing into comparison with another; there is no comparison between them.
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3.
That to which, or with which, a thing is compared, as being equal or like; illustration; similitude.“Whereto shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what comparison shall we compare it?” — Mark iv. 30.
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4.
The modification, by inflection or otherwise, which the adjective and adverb undergo to denote degrees of quality or quantity; as, little, less, least, are examples of comparison.(Gram.)
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5.
A figure by which one person or thing is compared to another, or the two are considered with regard to some property or quality, which is common to them both; e.g., the lake sparkled like a jewel.(Rhet.)
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6.
The faculty of the reflective group which is supposed to perceive resemblances and contrasts.(Phren.)
Phrases & compounds
Beyond comparison —
so far superior as to have no likeness, or so as to make comparison needless.
In comparison of —
as compared with; in proportion to.