Comparationis

Comparationis is the genitive singular form of the Latin noun comparatio, meaning “of comparison” or “the act of comparing.” In classical rhetoric, comparatio denotes the act or figure of drawing an analogy between two things, often expressed through simile, analogy, or a likeness established between objects or ideas. The term appears in Latin rhetorical and grammatical works as a label for the process of comparing rather than as a single fixed device.

Etymology and form: comparatio comes from Latin comparare, “to compare,” with the noun formed to denote the result or act of comparing. Its genitive singular, comparationis, marks possession or relation to the act of comparison. In usage, comparatio may refer to either the act itself or to passages in which similarity is employed to clarify or persuade.

Usage and interpretation: In scholarly discussions of Latin rhetoric, comparatio and related terms are used to classify figures that establish likenesses, including simple similes and more elaborate analogies. The concept is often treated together with similitudo (likeness) and with broader categories of analogy and metaphor. While comparatio is a general term for comparison, the precise rhetorical function can range from direct comparison to extended argument by analogy.

See also: comparatio, similitudo, simile, metaphor, analogy.