Collins English-English Dictionary

compare [kəm'pεə]

1. 1. vt. [tr; usually foll by to] to regard or represent as analogous or similar; liken

   the general has been compared to Napoleon

2. 2. vt. [tr; usually foll by with] to examine in order to observe resemblances or differences

   to compare rum with gin

3. 3. vi. [intr; usually foll by with] to be of the same or similar quality or value

   gin compares with rum in alcoholic content

4. 4. vi. [intr] to bear a specified relation of quality or value when examined

   this car compares badly with the other

5. 5. vi. [intr; usually foll by with] to correspond to

   profits were £3.2 million. This compares with £2.6 million last year

6. 6. vt. [tr] [grammar] to give the positive, comparative, and superlative forms of (an adjective)

7. 7. vi. [intr] [archaic] to compete or vie

8. 8. n comparison or analogy (esp in the phrase beyond compare)

9. 9. n [Etymology] C15: from Old French comparer, from Latin comparare to couple together, match, from compar equal to one another, from com- together + par equal; see par