Middle English Dictionary Entry
compāren v.
Entry Info
| Forms | compāren v. Also comperen. |
| Etymology | L comparāre & OF comperer, -parer. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To regard or treat (sb., sth.) as (an) equal; be equal (to or with sb.); (b) to compare (one with another), liken; make a comparison; compared to, in comparison with (sth.).
Associated quotations
a
- (1402) Topias (Dgb 41)p.87 : Wilt thou..allegates compere ȝou to the kyng?
- a1450(c1433) Lydg.St.Edm.(Hrl 2278)397/28 : Ys ther any leuyng now..Which rassemblith..To vs in manhod..Which to our noblesse or riht may be comparyd?
- c1450(a1449) Lydg.SSecr.(Sln 2464)417 : In your tyme was no Creature That was expert..To be comparyd..To your noblesse.
- a1475(1450) Scrope DSP (Bod 943)6/30 : Howe may a man thatt wille not do bot transitorie delites compare to the dedis of tho that..besieth hem perpetuelly to good dedis of perfeccione?
- a1500(1445) ?Lydg.Marg.Entry (Hrl 3869)114 : Noon erthely ioie compared nor egalle May ben here to.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)317 : My peple is here assembled, but thei ben so fewe that thei may not compare with hem.
b
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)3.468 : Yiff I wolde thi persone eek compare To Alisandre, thi sides been ful bare!
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)250 : This uirgyne..may to a margaryte comparyd be.
- c1450 De CMulieribus (Add 10304)10 : Of wymen, the which haue ben..As gode as men or better, if I durst compare.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)14730 : I wyl nat spare..Pryde to compare To the vnycorn.
- a1500(?c1440) Lydg.HGS (Lnsd 699)154 : Whedir Goos or Sheep..may in any wise..Vn-to an Hors be likned & comparid.
- a1500 Imit.Chr.(Dub 678)19/27 : Allas! what is oure lif compared to hem?