[kuh
m-par-uh-ter, kom-puh-rey-] 
| 1. | any of various instruments for making comparisons, as of lengths or distances, tints of colors, etc. |
| 2. | 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. |
| com·pa·ra·tor (kŏm'pə-rā'tər, kəm-pār'ə-) n. Any of various instruments for comparing a measured property of an object, such as its shape, color, or brightness, with a standard. |