Middle English Dictionary Entry
comparāble adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | comparāble adj. Also comperable. |
| Etymology | L & OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Equally worthy or valuable, equal (to sth.); (b) comparable, similar.
Associated quotations
a
- c1450 Royal SSecr.(Roy 18.A.7)11/30 : There is no tresoure..in this world that is comperable to good renowne.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)7968 : He was to hym nat hable Off meryt, nor comparable.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)6.337 : Nicholaus the firste succedid Benedicte the pope viij yere, whiche was comparable [Trev.: i-likned; L comparandus] to grete Gregory.
- a1500(1413) *Pilgr.Soul (Eg 615)2.21.45a : Be twyn the and me this maner likenesse is not comparable.
- a1500 Mirror Salv.(Beeleigh)p.160 : To thi joyes ware neuer othere in alle werlds comparable.
b
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)5.1884 : The pley of Fortune..Vnto the guerdouns daili comparable Of them that doon for any comounte.
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.234 : He þat is inconstant and vnstable, To foules myght þou holde hym comparable.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)89.7 (v.2:p.107) : Aldelme .. within short tyme .. nat oonly .. was comparable to his maistris which he had bothe in Grue and in Latyne, but eke .. superexcellid hem, so apt was his witte in lernyng.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)2.215 : Whiche is comparable [L comparatus] to brute bestes in drawenge to thynges prohibitte.