equivalent

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ɪˈkwɪv.əl.ənt/^[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle English equivalent, borrowed from Middle French equivalent and directly from Late Latin aequivalentem,^[2][3] present participle of aequivalēre “to have equal power, be equivalent”,^[4][2] from Latin aequus “equal” and valēre “to be strong, be worth”,^[4][2] the sources of equal and value.^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

Equal in value, power or effect: about 1425 in Barnhart, the early 15th century in Etymonline;^[2][4] of persons, equal in power or rank, about 1460 in the OED.^[5][6]

Semantic evolution

The noun, that which is equal or corresponds, is from 1502, or about 1500 in Etymonline.^[2][4] Having the same meaning, of words, is from 1529,^[5] and of weights, measures and numbers, equal in quantity, from 1806.^[5] Equivalence is from before 1541, and equivalency from 1535.^[2]

Timeline

• c. 1425 – equal in value or effect.^[2]
• 1502 – noun, an equivalent thing.^[2]
• 1529 – having the same meaning.^[5]
• 1806 – equal in quantity.^[5]

Modern meaning

Adjective

1. Equal in value, amount, meaning or effect.
2. (mathematics) Able to be put into a one-to-one relation, or having the same value.

Noun

1. Something that is equal to or corresponds to something else.

Word family

• equivalently
• milliequivalent
• nonequivalent
• equivalent weight
• gram equivalent
• electrochemical equivalent
• dose equivalent

Related words

• equal
• value
• valiant

References

1. ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
3. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
4. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
5. ^ a b c d e Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
6. ^ Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press