Comparison

To compare is to examine, describe, and analyze two or more things for qualities that are equal, similar, analogous, or different. Also, to liken one thing to another ? to note how they resemble each other, or how they may be equal or similar in quality or standing. When paired with "contrast," "compare" emphasizes similarities while "contrast" emphasizes differences. A comparison is an instance of comparing. The act of comparing is often called "drawing a comparison," even though comparing needn't have anything to do with making a drawing."Compare to" or "compare with"? "Compare to" is used when things are being likened in general ways. "Compare with" is used when the comparison is more specific and implies differences as well as similarities. Some grammarians say that when compare is used intransitively (i.e., without an object), "with" should always be used, but others say that either "with" or "to" are acceptible in this context."Paragone" is an Italian word meaning "comparison." In art, this is a critical term referring to the debate begun in the 16th century and continued in the 17th about the relative merits of painting and sculpture. To the degree that this is analogous to historical arguments over political, racial, and religious questions, do you think this argument will ever be settled?!(pr. kəm-PAYR and kəm-PEH-rə-sən)Example:Compare these two images of a poster produced with Adobe Illustrator. The first is a line drawing, a simplification of the second image ? the final version.Also see accent, art criticism, art history, camouflage, charette, choose, concatenation, consistency, counterpoint, critique, emphasis, focal point, image processing, interesting, frisson, gestalt, harmony, incoherence, incongruity, irony, likeness, metaphor, overlay, sequence, tension, unity, and variety.