incomparable, a. (adv., n.)
(ɪnˈkɒmpərəb(ə)l)
[a. F. incomparable (12–13th c. in Hatz.-Darm.), ad. L. incomparābilis, f. in- (in-3) + comparābilis comparable.]
1. With which there is no comparison; unequalled in manner, kind, or degree; matchless, peerless, transcendent.
| 1412–20 Lydg. Chron. Troy i. vi, And of beaute ȝe bene incomparable. c 1450 Cov. Myst. (Shaks. Soc.) 391 Heyl! incomparabil quen Goddis holy tron! 1533 Elyot Cast. Helthe (1541) 35 a, Honye..is of incomparable efficacy. a 1661 Fuller Worthies (1840) II. 451 She was afterwards his incomparable wife. 1740 Warburton Div. Legat. iv. v. Wks. 1811 IV. 215 A new hypothesis..which hath the incomparable Sir Isaac Newton for its Patron. 1871 L. Stephen Playgr. Europe ix. (1894) 202 The squalor of an Italian town surrounds monuments of incomparable beauty. 1897 Gladstone Let. 20 Apr., Incredible shame, incomparable bungling. |
2. Not to be compared (with or to).
| 1614 Jackson Creed iii. xi. §18 marg., Vniuersall absolute obedience vnto men is incomparable with true loyalty vnto Christ. 1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 116 Neere mountayne Taurus is now a Citie both great and famous, yet incomparable to what shee was in Ecbatans time. 1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med. III. 640 As knowledge becomes more accurate, the tables constructed in successive periods become incomparable. 1899 Westm. Gaz. 15 May 9/2 The British patent system..is incomparable, from every point of view almost, with the patent systems of Germany and the United States. |
† B. adv. = incomparably. Obs.
| 1482 Monk of Evesham (Arb.) 101 Mekyl more gladder and that yncomparable for the certen bydyng that he boode to haue the sight of god. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 40 b, Thou shalte be in heuen ruler of incomparable more treasure. 1664 Power Exp. Philos. i. 6 The Gray, or Horse-Fly. Her eye is an incomparable pleasant spectacle. |
C. n.
1. An incomparable or matchless person or thing.
| 1704 Penn in Pa. Hist. Soc. Mem. IX. 355 That there ever should be such a succession of incomparables. 1807 tr. Three Germans III. 19 This incomparable would be an evil to be dreaded in the city. |
2. A name for a North American bird, the Nonpareil or Painted Bunting (Cyanospiza or Passerina ciris), so called from its gorgeous colouring, blue, green, yellow, and scarlet.
| 1889 Cent. Dict., Cyanospiza..contains the common indigo-bird of the United States.., the lazuli finch.., the nonpareil, incomparable, or pape [etc.]. |