I.a comparing, comparison (in good prose).
I. In gen.: comparationis duo sunt modi; “unus cum idemne sit an aliquid intersit quaeritur: alter, cum quid praestet aliud alii quaeritur,” Cic. de Or. 3, 29, 117; cf. id. ib. § “116: potest incidere saepe contentio et comparatio, de duobus honestis utrum honestius,” id. Off. 1, 43, 152: “majorum, minorum, parium,” id. Top. 18, 71: “orationis suae cum scriptis alienis,” id. de Or. 1, 60, 257: “rerum,” Quint. 2, 4, 24: “argumentorum,” id. 5, 13, 57: “in comparatione alicujus (post-Aug.): strata erant itinera vilioribus sarcinis, quas in conparatione meliorum avaritia contempserat,” Curt. 3, 11, 20 Vogel ad loc.; so, “ex conparatione regis novi, desiderium excitabatur amissi,” id. 10, 8, 9; cf. Lact. 7, 15, 7.—
II. Esp.
A. A trial of skill, contention: “in comparationem se demittere,” Suet. Rhet. 6.—
B. A relation, comparison: “cum solis et lunae et quinque errantium ad eandem inter se comparationem est facta conversio,” Cic. N. D. 2, 20, 51.—
D. An agreement, contract (v. 1. comparo, II. B.): “provincia sine sorte, sine comparatione, extra ordinem data,” Liv. 6, 30, 3.—
E. Of animals, a coupling, pairing: “boum,” Col. 6, 2, 13.—
F. In rhet.: “criminis,” a defensive comparison of a crime with a good deed, on account of which the crime was committed, Cic. Inv. 1, 11, 15; 2, 24, 72; Auct. Her. 1, 14, 24; 1, 15, 25.—
G. In gram.
1. A climax, Don. p. 1745 P.—
2. The comparative degree, Quint. 1, 5, 45.