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comparison

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comparison

Main Entry:: com·par·i·son
Pronunciation:: \kəm-ˈper-ə-sən, -ˈpa-rə-\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: Middle English, from Anglo-French comparison, from Latin comparation-, comparatio, from comparare
Date:: 14th century

1: the act or process of comparing: as a: the representing of one thing or person as similar to or like another b: an examination of two or more items to establish similarities and dissimilarities <his faults seem minor by comparison> 2: identity of features : similarity <several points of comparison between the two>3: the modification of an adjective or adverb to denote different levels of quality, quantity, or relation

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