comparator

[ kuh m-par-uh-ter, kom-puh-rey- ]
/ kəmˈpær ə tər, ˈkɒm pəˌreɪ- /

noun

any of various instruments for making comparisons, as of lengths or distances, tints of colors, etc.
Electronics. a circuit for comparing two signals, as readings of duplicate information stored in a digital computer, and for giving an indication of agreement or disagreement between them.

Origin of comparator

First recorded in 1880–85, comparator is from the Late Latin word comparātor a comparer. See compare, -tor

Words nearby comparator

comparative pathology, comparative philology, comparative psychology, comparative religion, comparative statement, comparator, compare, compare notes, comparison, comparison microscope, comparison shopper

Example sentences from the Web for comparator

  • Put the sample and comparator together into a reactor and bombard them with neutrons.

    The Atomic Fingerprint |Bernard Keisch

  • In the comparator Vickers brought the corresponding standard comparison lines together.

    The Year When Stardust Fell |Raymond F. Jones

  • The most important of these “tricks” is the use of a “standard” or “comparator”.

    The Atomic Fingerprint |Bernard Keisch

  • The lieutenant put the retinal photos in the comparator, took a good look, and nodded.

    Unwise Child |Gordon Randall Garrett

British Dictionary definitions for comparator

comparator
/ (kəmˈpærətə) /

noun

any instrument used to measure a property of a system by comparing it with a standard system
an electric circuit that compares two signals and gives an indication of the extent of their dissimilarity