matchableadj.

1558 Speciall Grace after Banket at Yorke sig. bv^v O merciful god what impietee, what malice matchable w^t these mens?

1567 W. Painter Palace of Pleasure II. f. 310^v This yong Gentlewoman was adorned with haire so faire, curle, and yealow, as the new fined gold was not matchable to the shining lockes of this tender infant.

1572 J. Jones Bathes of Bathes Ayde ii. f. 10^v Neyther be such vapours, or dashinges, matchable to fyre in heate.

a1592 R. Greene Selimus (1594) sig.H Aga, thy griefe is matchable to his.

1608 J. Dod & R. Cleaver Plaine Expos. Prov. xi–xii. 190 Many great pibbles are not matchable in worth with one pearle which is farre lesse then they are.

1653 T. Gataker Vindic. Annot. Jer. 10.2 149 The War..was in divers respects not matchable onely unto, but even greater then any that had gone before it.

1695 J. Woodward Ess. Nat. Hist. Earth 27 [Shells] not matchable with any upon our Shores.

1714 T. Risdon Chorographical Descr. Devon 10 It is pleasantly seated upon a Hill,..and for Quality matchable with most Cities.

a1568 R. Ascham Scholemaster (1570) i. f. 17 So manie notable Capitaines in warre, for worthinesse, wisdome and learning, as be scarse matchable no, not in the state of Rome.

1591 E. Spenser Ruines of Time in Complaints 89 To tell my forces matchable to none, Were but lost labour.

1624 T. Heywood Γυναικεῖον iii. 143 A Lady scarce matchable before her time or since.

1678 Life Black Prince in Harleian Misc. (1809) III. 153 He was a prince so full of virtues as were scarce matchable by others.

1732 A. Collins Life Cecil 14 So manie notable things happeninge in the tyme of her Majesties reigne, are more admirable in this age then matchable in former.

1906 C. M. Doughty Dawn in Brit. VI. xxiv. 226 Disdains them his great soul: of whom not ten Were matchable, in like arms, with one tall Briton!

1956 Life 2 Apr. 4/1 (advt.) This mixable, matchable, practical sportswear.

1999 Austin (Texas) Amer.-Statesman (Nexis) 14 Nov. a21 Vice President Al Gore has built eligibility for Federal Election Commission money by targeting smaller, matchable donations in stops across the country.

1614 D. Dyke Myst. Selfe-deceiuing xxv. 297 The party affected hath piety matchable both to person, and portion.

1631 G. Markham Country Contentm. (ed. 4) i. xix. 104 They be euer most matchable, strong, nimble, and ready for your pleasure.

1815 Zeluca III. 162 Now if you had married such a superior character as Miss Emcotts, so truly matchable with you.

1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Equalite, equalitie, euenness, matchablenesse.

a1637 B. Jonson Eng. Gram. Pref., in Wks. (1640) III We shew the Copie of it, and Matchablenesse, with other tongues.

1857 C. M. Yonge Let. 1 Oct. in C. R. Coleridge C. M. Yonge (1903) viii. 214 A most perfect marriage..as to the matchableness of the two people.

?1585 W. C. Aduentures Ladie Egeria sig. C^v Equal faith, which hath euermore matcheably concorded our meete ages.

1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Esgallement, equally, euenly, alike, matchably.