Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Compare, Compair, n.¹ Also: compar. [F. compair, later form of comper Compere n., L. compar: cf. Compare a. Also e.m.E. (c 1585).] A person or thing equal or comparable to another; an equal or rival. Usually in na, but, or without compare. c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxxiv. 87.
The rest of craftis gryt aithis swair Thair wark and craft had na compair 1513 Doug. ix. Prol. 63.
Sen that Virgill standis but compar 1531 Bell. Boece II. 138.
The scule of Paris, quhilk … has na compair in erd 1535 Stewart 55399.
Of plesance als without compair or peir 1546 Lynd. Trag. Card. 67.
I … Was maid Legate; than had I no compare c1552 Id. Mon. 4264.
To quhome no prince may be compare 1560 Rolland Seven S. 35.
Fra Papis come that nobill towne within … And that na stait to Clergie was compairs 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 265.
The Admirall of France, whois compair or lyke was scairse to be fund in Europe a1605 Montg. Son. xiii. 12.
As the phoenix, … but companione or compair 1596 Dalr. I. 54/2.
Althocht Cuper be na compare to Arbroth, ȝit in monesteris of meane … rentis it may haue the first place