Verb

(compar)

(label) To assess the similarities and differences between two or more things ["to compare X with Y"]. Having made the comparison of X with' Y, one might have found it similar '''to''' Y or different ' from Y.

* {{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Ben Travers)

, chapter=6, title= A Cuckoo in the Nest , passage=Sophia broke down here. Even at this moment she was subconsciously comparing her rendering of the part of the forlorn bride with Miss Marie Lohr's.}}

* {{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=May-June, author= Katie L. Burke

, title= In the News , volume=101, issue=3, page=193, magazine=(American Scientist) , passage=Bats host many high-profile viruses that can infect humans, including severe acute respiratory syndrome and Ebola. A recent study explored the ecological variables that may contribute to bats’ propensity to harbor such zoonotic diseases by comparing them with another order of common reservoir hosts: rodents.}}

(label) To declare two things to be similar in some respect ["to compare X to Y"].

* (Francis Bacon) (1561-1626)

Solon compared the people unto the sea, and orators and counsellors to the winds; for that the sea would be calm and quiet if the winds did not trouble it.

To form the three degrees of comparison of (an adjective).

(label) To be similar (often used in the negative ).

* (William Shakespeare) (1564-1616)

Shall pack horsescompare with Caesar's?

(label) To get; to obtain.

* (Edmund Spenser) (c.1552–1599)

To fill his bags, and richesse to compare .

Verb

(transitive, archaic, literally) To drive together, round up (rfex)

To overpower; to subdue.

* 1917 , , King Coal , ch. 16,

She had one of those perfect faces, which irresistibly compel the soul of a man.

To force, constrain or coerce.

Logic compels''' the wise, while fools feel '''compelled by emotions.

* 1600 , , Julius Caesar , act 5, sc. 1,

Against my will, / As Pompey was, am I compell’d to set / Upon one battle all our liberties.

* Hallam

Wolsey compelled the people to pay up the whole subsidy at once.

To exact, extort, (make) produce by force.

* Shakespeare

Commissions, which compel from each / The sixth part of his substance.

* 1912 , , Sky Island , ch. 14,

The Queen has nothing but the power to execute the laws, to adjust grievances and to compel order.

(obsolete) To force to yield; to overpower; to subjugate.

* Dryden

Easy sleep their weary limbs compelled .

* Tennyson

I compel all creatures to my will.

(obsolete) To gather or unite in a crowd or company.

* Dryden

in one troop compelled

(obsolete) To call forth; to summon.

* Spenser

She had this knight from far compelled .

(Chapman)