Comparability

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˌkɒmp(ə)ɹəˈbɪlɪti/

Definitions

1. The attribute that allows two or more entities to be analyzed for similarities and differences in their characteristics and qualities
2. The condition under which different items can be evaluated or judged against each other based on their similarities and distinctions
3. The quality that enables distinct items to be assessed together based on relative worth and shared attributes

Etymology: Comparability is a plain formation: "comparable" with the suffix "-ity" added, the same ending that gives "rarity" from "rare" and "ability" from "able." The suffix means the quality of being something, so the noun names the quality of being capable of comparison. The base word goes back to Latin "comparare," meaning to match or pair up, built from "com-" ("together") and "par" ("equal"). That same "par" is behind English "par" in golf and finance, meaning a standard or average value, and it is related to "peer." So the idea running through the word is putting things on equal footing.

Synonyms: similarity, equivalence, likeness

Antonyms: incomparability, dissimilarity