equal English · revision 4165

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1390|origins=la aequalis}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈiː.kwəl/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|equal]],^(AHD 2000)^(MWU 2024) [[bor|la|aequālis|t=uniform, identical, equal]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[m|la|aequus|t=level, even, flat; just, fair, impartial; calm]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) a word of unknown or uncertain origin,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Klein 1966) with the suffix [[-al]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) A parallel form egal, from Old French egal, was in use from the late 14th century until the 17th.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) It is related to [[equation]], [[equator]], [[equity]], [[equivalent]], [[adequate]] and [[iniquity]].^(Klein 1966)^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ “Identical in amount, extent or portion”: the late 14th century in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) about 1390 in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales according to Barnhart,^(Barnhart 1988) and about 1391 in the OED, of magnitudes and numbers.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ “Even or smooth of surface” is from the early 15th century.^(Etymonline) Of persons, “on the same level in rank, power or excellence” is from 1526,^(OED 1989) and “adequate, fit”, now only with ''to'', as in ''equal to the task'', from before 1674.^(OED 1989) The ethical sense “fair, just, impartial”, as in Ben Jonson's “O my most equal hearers”, has almost entirely gone out of use.^(Trench 1859) The noun, one who is equal to another, is from 1573,^(Barnhart 1988)^(MW Collegiate) and the verb “to compare, liken” from 1586;^(Barnhart 1988) “to match, rival” is from 1590, in Marlowe's Tamburlaine.^(Barnhart 1988)^(MW Collegiate) ''Equal rights'' is from 1752, and by 1854 American English used it of men and women;^(Etymonline) ''equal opportunity'' in hiring is recorded by 1925.^(Etymonline) ''Other things being equal'' (1848) translates Latin ceteris paribus.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1390 – identical in amount.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * early 15th century – even of surface.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1526 – of persons, on the same level.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1573 – noun.^(Barnhart 1988)^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1590 – verb, to match.^(Barnhart 1988)^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1752 – ''equal rights''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1925 – ''equal opportunity''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Having the same quantity, measure or value as another.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Having the same rights, privileges or status: ''equal before the law''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The same for all members of a group: ''equal treatment''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Having the qualities needed; [[adequate]]: ''equal to the task''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person or thing that is equal to another, especially in rank or ability.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To be equal to, especially in value.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To do or produce something equal to; to [[match]] or [[rival]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[equally]]

+ * [[coequal]]

+ * [[equal-area]]

+ * [[equalize]]

+ * [[equalise]]

+ * [[nonequal]]

+ * [[subequal]]

+ * [[unequal]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[equality]]

+ * [[equation]]

+ * [[equator]]

+ * [[equity]]

+ * [[equivalent]]

+ * [[adequate]]

+ * [[iniquity]]

+ * [[egalitarian]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Equal has been called an absolute term that cannot be compared (''more equal''), but the American Heritage notes that most of its Usage Panel accepted ''a more equal allocation'' in an earlier survey, and that the objection assumes mathematics is the model for everyday language.^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}