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| ==Etymology== | | ==Etymology== |
| [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English], from Anglo-French comparer, from [[Latin]] comparare to couple, compare, from compar like, from com- + par [[equal]] | | [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English], from Anglo-French comparer, from [[Latin]] comparare to couple, compare, from compar like, from com- + par [[equal]] |
− | *Date: [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_Century 14th century] | + | *Date: [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_Century 14th century] |
| ==Definitions== | | ==Definitions== |
| *1 : to [[represent]] as similar : liken <shall I compare thee to a summer's day? — Shakespeare> | | *1 : to [[represent]] as similar : liken <shall I compare thee to a summer's day? — Shakespeare> |
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| In [[English]] [[grammar]] the [[degree]] of '''comparison''' of an adjective or adverb describes the [[relational]] [[value]] of one [[thing]] with something in another clause of a sentence. An adjective may simply describe a [[quality]], (the positive); it may compare the [[quality]] with that of another of its kind (''comparative degree''); and it may compare the [[quality]] with many or all others (superlative degree). In other [[languages]] it may describe a very large [[degree]] of a particular [[quality]. | | In [[English]] [[grammar]] the [[degree]] of '''comparison''' of an adjective or adverb describes the [[relational]] [[value]] of one [[thing]] with something in another clause of a sentence. An adjective may simply describe a [[quality]], (the positive); it may compare the [[quality]] with that of another of its kind (''comparative degree''); and it may compare the [[quality]] with many or all others (superlative degree). In other [[languages]] it may describe a very large [[degree]] of a particular [[quality]. |
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− | The ''degree of comparison'' may be [[expressed]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morphology_(linguistics) morphologically], or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syntax syntactically]. In [[English]], for example, most monosyllabic and some disyllabic adjectives have morphological degrees of comparison: green (positive), greener (comparative), greenest (superlative); pretty, prettier, prettiest; while most polysyllabic adjectives use syntax:'' [[complex]]'', ''more complex'', ''most complex''. | + | The ''degree of comparison'' may be [[expressed]] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morphology_(linguistics) morphologically], or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syntax syntactically]. In [[English]], for example, most monosyllabic and some disyllabic adjectives have morphological degrees of comparison: green (positive), greener (comparative), greenest (superlative); pretty, prettier, prettiest; while most polysyllabic adjectives use syntax:'' [[complex]]'', ''more complex'', ''most complex''. |
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| *1. The positive [[degree]] is the most basic form of the adjective, positive because it does not [[relate]] to any superior or inferior qualities of other [[things]] in [[speech]]. | | *1. The positive [[degree]] is the most basic form of the adjective, positive because it does not [[relate]] to any superior or inferior qualities of other [[things]] in [[speech]]. |