n. | 1. | The act of comparing; an examination of two or more objects with the view of discovering the resemblances or differences; relative estimate. |
| 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. |
| 3. | That to which, or with which, a thing is compared, as being equal or like; illustration; similitude. |
| 4. | (Gram.) 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. |
| 5. | (Rhet.) 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. |
| 6. | (Phren.) The faculty of the reflective group which is supposed to perceive resemblances and contrasts. |
v. t. | 1. | To compare. |