compare

Meanings

Verb

• To assess the similarities and differences between two or more things ["to compare X with Y"]. Having made the comparison of X with Y, one might have found it similar to Y or different from Y.
• To declare two things to be similar in some respect ["to compare X to Y"].
• To form the three degrees of comparison of (an adjective).
• To be similar (often used in the negative).
• To get; to obtain.

Noun

• Comparison.
• An instruction or command that compares two values.
• Illustration by comparison; simile.

Origin

• From Old French comparer, from Latin comparare, from compar, from com- + par.