comparison

comparison
[[t]kəmpæ̱rɪsən[/t]]
♦♦♦
comparisons
1) N-VAR: oft N of/between pl-n When you make a comparison, you consider two or more things and discover the differences between them.

...a comparison of the British and German economies...

Its recommendations are based on detailed comparisons between the public and private sectors...

There are no previous statistics for comparison.

2) N-COUNT When you make a comparison, you say that one thing is like another in some way.

It is demonstrably an unfair comparison...

He finds the comparison of insect wings with a sailing boat useful up to a point...

The comparison of her life to a sea voyage simplifies her experience.

3) PHRASE: oft PHR with/to n If you say, for example, that something is large or small in comparison with, in comparison to, or by comparison with something else, you mean that it is larger or smaller than the other thing.

Is the human heart weak in comparison with the other organs?...

The amount of carbon dioxide released by human activities such as burning coal and oil is small in comparison...

Those places are modern by comparison with Tresillian.

Syn:
compared with
4) PHRASE: oft PHR between pl-n (emphasis) If you say there is no comparison between one thing and another, you mean that you think the first thing is much better than the second, or very different from it.

There is no comparison between the knowledge and skill of such a player and the ordinary casual participant.

5) PHRASE If someone or something stands or bears comparison with another person or thing, they are as good, or almost as good. [FORMAL]

...the only post-war French intellectual who stands comparison with De Tocqueville.


English dictionary. 2008.

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Synonyms:
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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Comparison — Com*par i*son (? or ?), n. [F. comparaison, L. comparatio. See 1st {Compare}.] 1. The act of comparing; an examination of two or more objects with the view of discovering the resemblances or differences; relative estimate. [1913 Webster] As sharp …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • comparison — comparison, contrast, antithesis, collation, parallel mean a setting of things side by side so as to discover or exhibit their likenesses and differences, especially their generic likenesses and differences. Comparison is often used as the… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • comparison — 1. For comparison of adjectives, see adjective 3. 2. Comparison as the noun equivalent of compare is normally followed by with, not to, and this applies also to the expression by or in comparison: • By comparison with some of the 20 million tons… …   Modern English usage

  • comparison — [kəm par′ə sən] n. [ME < OFr comparaison < L comparatio < pp. of COMPARE] 1. a comparing or being compared; estimation of similarities and differences 2. sufficient likeness to make meaningful comparison possible; possibility of… …   English World dictionary

  • comparison — I noun alikeness, analogical procedure, analogy, association, balance, comparatio, comparative estimate, conlatio, contrast, correlation, equation, measurement, nearness, parallel, rapprochement, relative estimate, relative estimation,… …   Law dictionary

  • Comparison — Com*par i*son, v. t. To compare. [Obs.] Wyclif. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • comparison — mid 14c., from O.Fr. comparaison (12c.), from L. comparationem (nom. comparatio), noun of action from pp. stem of comparare make equal with, liken, bring together for a contest, lit. to couple together, to form in pairs, from com with (see COM… …   Etymology dictionary

  • comparison — [n] contrasting; corresponding allegory, analogizing, analogy, analyzing, association, balancing, bringing together, collating, collation, comparability, connection, contrast, correlation, discrimination, distinguishing, dividing, estimation,… …   New thesaurus

  • comparison — ► NOUN 1) the action or an instance of comparing. 2) the quality of being similar or equivalent …   English terms dictionary

  • comparison — n. 1) to draw, make a comparison 2) to hold up under comparison 3) to defy comparison 4) a favorable; unfavorable comparison 5) a comparison between; to, with (there is no comparison between them; she made a comparison of our literature to… …   Combinatory dictionary

  • comparison — com|pa|ri|son W2S3 [kəmˈpærısən] n ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(comparing)¦ 2¦(judgment)¦ 3¦(be like something)¦ 4 there s no comparison 5¦(grammar)¦ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1.) ¦(COMPARING)¦[U] the process of comparing two or more people or things →↑compare, comparative ↑ …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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