I.“compare,” Ov. Am. 3, 5, 38; id. A. A. 3, 359; gen. plur. comparum, Plaut. Ps. 1, 1, 64), like or equal to another (poet.; after the Aug. per. also in prose).
I. Adj.
(α).
With dat.: natura viri compar uxori, * Lucr. 4, 1251: “consilium consilio,” Liv. 28, 42, 20: “milites militibus, centurionibus centuriones, tribuni tribunis compares,” id. 8, 6, 15.—
(γ).
Absol.: “conubium,” Liv. 1, 9, 5: “postulatio Latinorum,” id. 23, 6, 8: “compari Marte concurrerat,” id. 36, 44, 7.—
II. Subst. comm., an equal, a companion, comrade, colleague, Plaut. Ps. 4, 3, 9; * Hor. C. 2, 5, 2.—
B. Esp.
1. One beloved, a spouse, consort, mate, Plaut. Ps. 1, 1, 64; id. Cas. 4, 2, 18; * Cat. 68, 126; Ov. Am. 3, 5, 38; Inscr. Orell. 2656; “so of the queen in chess,” Ov. A. A. 3, 359.—*
2. A figure of speech whereby several members of a period have an equal number of syllables, Auct. Her. 4, 20. 27.