Gerard ever was
His full comparative.
Beau. & Fl.
3. One who makes comparisons; one who affects wit. [Obs.] "Every beardless vain comparative." Shak.
Com*par"a*tive*ly, adv. According to estimate made by comparison; relatively; not positively or absolutely.
With but comparatively few exceptions.
Prescott.
Com"pa*ra`tor (? or ?), n. [L., a comparer.] (Physics) An instrument or machine for comparing anything to be measured with a standard measure; -- applied especially to a machine for comparing standards of length.
Com*pare" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Compared (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Comparing.] [L. comparare, fr. compar like or equal to another; com- + par equal: cf. F. comparer. See Pair, Peer an equal, and cf. Compeer.] 1. To examine the character or qualities of, as of two or more persons or things, for the purpose of discovering their resemblances or differences; to bring into comparison; to regard with discriminating attention.
Compare dead happiness with living woe.
Shak.
The place he found beyond expression bright,
Compared with aught on earth.
Milton.
Compare our faces and be judge yourself.
Shak.
To compare great things with small.
Milton.