What does compering mean?
Compering means the act of comparing, or a comparison itself. It refers to placing two or more people, texts, accounts, objects, or other things side by side so that their similarities and differences can be assessed. Although the word may sound familiar because it resembles comparing, it is not the usual modern English participle of compare; comparison and comparing have largely replaced it in contemporary usage. Compering is especially associated with Scottish English and older British writing, where it can appear in discussions of documents, accounts, evidence, or competing versions of a text. Its presence often suggests careful examination rather than a casual likeness: “the compering of the accounts” implies a deliberate process of checking one against another. The word is useful chiefly as a historical or Scottish form, offering readers a compact name for the broader activity of comparison and for the act of bringing evidence or texts into relation with one another.
nounThe act of comparing or placing things side by side for comparison; a comparison.
- The act of comparing things or placing them side by side for comparison.
"The compering of the two accounts exposed several inconsistencies."
"Close compering of the original ledger with the summary accounts revealed a discrepancy."
"Her compering of the two versions made the change in emphasis immediately apparent."
The word is normally used as an uncountable noun, so the plural is uncommon.
"The editor made several careful comperings of the original text."
Compering preserves the sound of an older Scots verb, comper, meaning “to compare.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does compering come from?
Compering developed from the Scots verb comper, meaning “to compare,” with the usual Scottish formation of a verbal noun in -ing. Scots comper was borrowed from French comparer, which comes from Latin comparare, a compound of com- and parare, both meaning “to prepare or bring into equal footing.” The same Latin foundation produced compare, comparable, and comparison.
How compering is actually used
Compering is now rare and chiefly associated with Scottish and archaic English. In modern standard English, comparison is normally used for the noun and comparing for the present participle.
Easily confused with compering
Compering is a rare noun or verbal noun meaning “comparison,” whereas comparing is the standard present participle of the verb compare.