Talk:comparison

Is there a word for the subject(s) of a comparison - things being subjected to a comparison? Programmers seem to use 'object', dictionaries tend to use the word 'thing' or 'item'; but it seems to make sense to be able to talk about the "thing_to_be_compared", being identified solely as subject(s) of a comparison, regardless of just what they are. I was thinking of the word 'criterion', but that tends to represent a standard against which things are measured? We have comparative, representing the outcome of a comparison, but what about the word for "item_being_compared"? 'comparable' is good, but it is an adjective, not a noun.


 * The word "comparand" has gotten some use.

IPA
Add the US/UK IPA, please. --Sigmundur 08:35, 17 March 2010 (UTC)