KJV Dictionary Definition: comparable

comparable

COMPARABLE, a. That may be compared; worthy of comparison; being of equal regard; that may be estimated as equal.

There is no blessing of life comparable to the enjoyment of a discreet and virtuous friend.

The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold. Lam. 4.

comparably

COMPARABLY, adv. In a manner or degree worthy to be compared, or of equal regard.

comparative

COMPARATIVE, a.

1. Estimated by comparison; not positive or absolute. The comparative weight of a body, is that which is estimated by comparing it with the weight of another body. A body may be called heavy, when compared with a feather, which would be called light, when compared with iron. So of comparative good, or evil.

2. Having the power of comparing different things; as a comparative faculty.

3. In grammar, expressing more or less. The comparative degree of an adjective expresses a greater or less degree of a quantity, or quality, than the positive; as brighter, or more bright; smaller; finer; stronger; weaker.

Comparative anatomy, that branch of anatomy which treats of the anatomy of other animals than man, with a view to compare their structure with that of human beings, and thus to illustrate the animal functions, and particularly with reference to a more perfect knowledge of the functions of several parts of the human body.

COMPARATIVE, n. One who is equal or pretends to be an equal.

comparatively

COMPARATIVELY, adv. In a state of comparison; by comparison; according to estimate made by comparison; not positively, absolutely or in itself. A thing is comparatively heavy, when it is compared with something less heavy. Paper is comparatively light or heavy; light, when compared with lead; and heavy, when compared with air.

How few, comparatively, are the instances of a wise application of time and talents!

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, v.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.

compared

COMPARED, pp. Set together and examined with respect to likeness or unlikeness, agreement or disagreement; likened; represented as similar.

comparer

COMPARER, n. One who compares or makes a comparison.

comparing

COMPARING, ppr. Examining the relations of thins to each other; likening.