1. To associate.
Men which have companied with us all the time.
Acts i. 21.
2. To be a gay companion. [Obs.] Spenser.
3. To have sexual commerce. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
Comparable
(Com"pa*ra*ble) a. [L. comparabilis: cf. F. comparable.] Capable of being compared; worthy
of comparison.
There is no blessing of life comparable to the enjoyment of a discreet and virtuous friend.
Addison.
— Com"pa*ra*ble*ness, n. — Com"pa*ra*bly, adv.
Comparate
(Com"pa*rate) n. [L. comparatum, fr. comparatus, p. p. of comparare. See 1st Compare.]
(Logic) One of two things compared together.
Comparation
(Com`pa*ra"tion) n. [L. comparatio. See Compare to get.] A making ready; provision.
[Obs.]
Comparative
(Com*par"a*tive) a. [L. comparativus: cf. F. comparatif.]
1. Of or pertaining to comparison. "The comparative faculty." Glanvill.
2. Proceeding from, or by the method of, comparison; as, the comparative sciences; the comparative
anatomy.
3. Estimated by comparison; relative; not positive or absolute, as compared with another thing or state.
The recurrence of comparative warmth and cold.
Whewell.
The bubble, by reason of its comparative levity to the fluid that incloses it, would necessarily ascend to
the top.
Bentley.
4. (Gram.) Expressing a degree greater or less than the positive degree of the quality denoted by an
adjective or adverb. The comparative degree is formed from the positive by the use of -er, more, or
less; as, brighter, more bright, or less bright.
Comparative sciences, those which are based on a comprehensive comparison of the range of objects
or facts in any branch or department, and which aim to study out and treat of the fundamental laws or
systems of relation pervading them; as, comparative anatomy, comparative physiology, comparative
philology.
Comparative
(Com*par"a*tive), n. (Gram.) The comparative degree of adjectives and adverbs; also,
the form by which the comparative degree is expressed; as, stronger, wiser, weaker, more stormy,
less windy, are all comparatives.
In comparatives is expressed a relation of two; as in superlatives there is a relation of many.
Angus.
2. An equal; a rival; a compeer. [Obs.]
Gerard ever was
His full comparative.
Beau. & Fl.
3. One who makes comparisons; one who affects wit. [Obs.] "Every beardless vain comparative." Shak.
