Bryson•s Dictionary for Writers and Editors

76
committal / compendium
committal.
Commodus, Lucius Aelius Aurelius. (ad 161–192) Roman emperor (ad
180–192).
Comoros. Island state off Madagascar; capital Moroni.
compact disc. Not disk.
comparatively. “Comparatively little progress was made in the talks
yesterday” (Guardian). Compared with what? Comparatively
should be reserved for occasions when a comparison is being expressed
or at least clearly implied. If all you mean is fairly or only
a little, choose another word. See also relatively.
compare to, compare with. These two can be usefully distinguished.
Compare to should be used to liken things, compare with to consider
their similarities or differences. “He compared London to
New York” means that he felt London to be similar to New York.
“He compared London with New York” means that he assessed
the two cities’ relative merits. Compare to most often appears in
figurative senses, as in “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”
compatible.
compatriot for a fellow countryman. Not to be confused, in meaning
or spelling, with expatriate.
compel, impel. Both words imply the application of a force leading
to some form of action, but they are not quite synonymous.
Compel is the stronger of the two and, like its cousin compulsion,
suggests action undertaken as a result of coercion or irresistible
pressure: “The man’s bullying tactics compelled us to flee.” Impel
is closer in meaning to encourage and means to urge forward:
“The audience’s ovation impelled me to speak at greater length
than I had intended.” If you are compelled to do something, you
have no choice. If you are impelled, an element of willingness is
possible.
compendium. No doubt because of the similarity in sound to comprehensive,
the word is often taken to mean vast and all-