compār¹

1. Æquum (from εἴκελος) is that of which its own component parts are alike, in opp. to varius, Cic. Verr. v. 49; par (from πείρω) is that which is like to some other person or thing, and stands in the same rank (on the same level) with it or him, in opp. to superior and inferior. Cic. Brut. 59, 215. Orat. ii. 52, 209. 39, 166. In æquo marte the battle between two parties is considered as a whole; in pari marte the fortune of one party is set against that of the other, and declared to be equal to it. 2. Par denotes similarity with respect to greatness, power, and value, or equality and proportion with regard to number, like ἴσος; æqualis refers to interior qualities, like ὅμοιος. The par is considered as in a state of activity, or, at least, as determined and prepared to measure himself with his match in contest; the æqualis, in a state of rest, and claiming merely comparison and equality as to rank. The paria are placed in opposition to each other, as rivals in the contest for pre-eminence; the æqualia are considered in a friendly relation to each other, in consequence of their common qualities and sympathies. Hence pariter means, in the same degree, ἴσα; æqualiter, in the same manner, ὁμοίως, ὁμῶς. Vell. Pat. ii. 124. 3. Par denotes quite like, parilis, nearly like, as a middle step between par and similis. 4. Par expresses equal to another, and hence may relate to only one side; compar, mutually equal, like finitimi and confines, ἐγγύς and σύνεγγυς. 5. Impar denotes inequality as to quantity, either arithmetical inequality with regard to number [= odd], or a relative inferiority as to strength; dispar refers to quality, without distinguishing on which side of the comparison the advantage lies. (iv. 77.)