Forms: 3 cumper, 4 comper, 5–6 -pyre, -ire, 5–7 compere, 6–7 compeare, compier, compeere, 4–7 compeer. [ME. comper, a. OF. comper, f. com- + per (peer). since 16th c. written pair:—L. par-em equal, See PEER, PAIR. For the vowel cf. clear = F. clair.
Perh. in sense 2 identified with F. compère, med.L. compater, fellow godfather, gossip, familiar.]
1. One of equal rank or standing: an equal, peer.
a. 1400–50. Alexander, 3396. Þe kyng with-outen compere of kyngis all othire.
1590. Three Lords & Ladies Lond., I., in Hazl., Dodsley, VI. 467. Three cavalieros … Without compeers in compass of this world.
1612. T. Taylor, Titus iii. 1. The Clergy … will be iudged by none but their compeares.
1644. Jessop, Angel of Eph., 27. That … Timothy or Titus were meere Presbyters, and so compeeres or Equals to the Presbyters of Ephesus.
1886. Dict. Nat. Biog., VI. 300/1. Brian Boroimhe … has been often praised … as an enlightened patriot, a compeer of King Alfred and of Washington.
2. A companion, associate, comrade, fellow.
c. 1275. Pains of Hell, 64, in O. E. Misc., 212. Bynd … cursid leuers with here cumpers, And cast ham in þe fuyre.
1382. Wyclif, Judg. xi. 38. Whanne she was goon with felawis and hir compeers [1388 pleiferis].
c. 1386. Chaucer, Prol., 672. His frend and his Comper.
1494. Fabyan, V. lxxxiii. He axed lodgynge … for hym and his Comperys.
1529. Rastell, Pastyme (1811), 203. This kynge … sent for Piers Gaueston his compyre and advanced hym to great honour.
1600. Holland, Livy, VIII. vi. 284. They conversed together, as colleagues and compeeres [compares].
1612. Drayton, Poly-olb., xviii. 296. His marshall compere … and brave commilitant.
1735. Somerville, Chase, III. 317. The fierce Arab … with his Troop Of bold Compeers.
1862. Marg. Goodman, Exper. Eng. Sister of Mercy, 219. Should the recruit exhibit selfishness and a desire to get the best of it where he can, he is at once subjected to discipline by his compeers.
† b. Used contemptuously. Obs.
1610. B. Jonson, Alch., IV. iv. Your sooty, smoky-bearded compeer.
1725. Pope, Odyss., XX. 378. No more, ye lewd Compeers, with lawless pow’r Invade my dome.
3. One associated with another in the view of the speaker or writer.
1574. trans. Marlorat’s Apocalips, 47. Delt out among the compeeres that stand for the election.
1633. Costlie Whore, III., iii., in Bullen, O. Pl., IV. Fellow compere, supporter of the State, Let us imbrace in steele, our cause is good.
1791. Cowper, Odyss., VI. 195. Wealthier than his rich compeers.
1809–10. Coleridge, Friend (ed. 3), III. 320. The harangues of Pitt, Fox, and their elder compeers.
1848. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 405. The spirit by which Dryden and several of his compeers were … animated against the Whigs.
4. transf. and fig.
1604. Drayton, Owle, 697. The Hedge-Sparrow, and her Compeere the Wren.
1712. Addison, Spect., No. 412, ¶ 5. The Nightingale [selects] her musical Compeer.
1869. Herschel, Fam. Lect. Sc., The Sun, 89. The sun … among these glorious compeers [stars].
1884. Girl’s Own Paper, 200/3. As a useful garment the polonaise has no compeer.
Hence Compeership, position of a compeer.
1652. Peyton, Catastr. Ho. Stuarts (1731), 7. Fit for any Compeership.
