com parateur

[Fr.] A Pru ian instrument for accurately ascertaining the length of measures after Be el's mode. The micrometers are placed on a strong mahogany beam; and the slide, which carries the two measures to be compared, is so arranged that it moves them exactly behind one another in the micrometer line, and B. As substantive: *I. Ordinary Language: 1. A rival; one who is equal or aspires to be such. "Gerard ever was His full comparative." Beaum. & Fletch .: Four Plays in One. 2. One who makes comparisons; a scoffer, a giber. "To laugh at gibing boys, and stand the push Of every beardle vain comparative ." Shakesp.: Henry IV ., Pt . I., iii. 2. II. Gram.: The comparative degree; an adjective in the comparative degree. comparative anatomy. [ANATOMY.] comparative anatomist. [ANATOMIST.] comparative mythology. [MYTHOLOGY.] comparative philology. [PHILOLOGY.]