Etymologically
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equivalent

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 00:25. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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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

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