compare(n = noun.attribute) comparability, comparison, equivalence - qualities that are comparable; "beyond compare"; "no comparison between the two books"
Derived form verb compare₁, verb compare₂, verb compare₃

1.  compare(v = verb.cognition) - examine and note the similarities or differences of; "John compared his haircut to his friend's"; "We compared notes after we had both seen the movie"
Derived form adjective comparative₂, noun compare₁, noun comparing₁, noun comparison₁, noun comparison₂
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s somebody; Somebody ----s something; Somebody ----s something PP; Something ----s something

2.  compare(v = verb.stative) - be comparable; "This car does not compare with our line of Mercedes"
Derived form noun compare₁
Sample sentences: Something ----s

3.  compare(v = verb.cognition) equate, liken - consider or describe as similar, equal, or analogous; "We can compare the Han dynasty to the Romans"; "You cannot equate success in financial matters with greed"
Derived form adjective comparative₁, adjective comparative₂, noun compare₁, noun comparing₁, noun comparison₃
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s somebody PP; Somebody ----s something PP

4.  compare(v = verb.communication) - to form the comparative or superlative form on an adjective or adverb;
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something

1.  To examine the character or qualities of, as of two or more persons or things, for the purpose of discovering their resemblances or differences; to bring into comparison; to regard with discriminating attention. [1913 Webster]

2.  To represent as similar, for the purpose of illustration; to liken. [1913 Webster]

3.  To inflect according to the degrees of comparison; to state positive, comparative, and superlative forms of; as, most adjectives of one syllable are compared by affixing “- er” and “-est” to the positive form; as, black, blacker, blackest; those of more than one syllable are usually compared by prefixing “more” and “most”, or “less” and “least”, to the positive; as, beautiful, more beautiful, most beautiful.

1.  To be like or equal; to admit, or be worthy of, comparison; as, his later work does not compare with his earlier. [1913 Webster]

2.  To vie; to assume a likeness or equality. [1913 Webster]

1.  Comparison. [1913 Webster]

2.  Illustration by comparison; simile. [1913 Webster]

   To get; to procure; to obtain; to acquire [1913 Webster]

compare, v. & n.
--v.
1 tr. (usu. foll. by to) express similarities in; liken (compared the landscape to a painting).
2 tr. (often foll. by to, with) estimate the similarity or dissimilarity of; assess the relation between (compared radio with television; that lacks quality compared to this).

Idiom:
compare notes exchange ideas or opinions.

Usage:
In current use to and with are generally interchangeable, but with often implies a greater element of formal analysis, as in compared my account with yours.
3 intr. (often foll. by with) bear comparison (compares favourably with the rest).
4 intr. (often foll. by with) be equal or equivalent to.
5 tr. Gram. form the comparative and superlative degrees of (an adjective or an adverb).
--n. literary comparison (beyond compare; without compare; has no compare).

Etymology:
ME f. OF comparer f. L comparare (as COM-, parare f. par equal)