n.1 the act or an instance of comparing.
2 a simile or semantic illustration.
3 capacity for being likened; similarity (there's no comparison).
4 (in full degrees of comparison) Gram. the positive, comparative, and superlative forms of adjectives and adverbs.
Phrases and idioms:
bear (or stand) comparison (often foll. by with) be able to be compared favourably. beyond comparison
1. totally different in quality.
2 greatly superior; excellent. in comparison with compared to.
Etymology: ME f. OF comparesoun f. L comparatio -onis (as COMPARE)