equivalent

• æquivalent (archaic)

equi- +‎ -valent. From Latin aequivalentem, accusative singular of aequivalēns, present active participle of aequivaleō (“I am equivalent, have equal power”).

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• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ɪˈkwɪvələnt/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ɪˈkwɪvələnt/
• (UK) IPA^(key): /ɪˈkwɪvələnt/

equivalent (comparative more equivalent, superlative most equivalent)

1. Similar or identical in value, meaning or effect; virtually equal.
   • South

     For now to serve and to minister, servile and ministerial, are terms equivalent.

   • 2012 March 1, Henry Petroski, “Opening Doors”, in American Scientist‎, volume 100, number 2, page 112-3:

     A doorknob of whatever roundish shape is effectively a continuum of levers, with the axis of the latching mechanism—known as the spindle—being the fulcrum about which the turning takes place. Applying a force tangential to the knob is essentially equivalent to applying one perpendicular to a radial line defining the lever.

2. (mathematics) Of two sets, having a one-to-one correspondence; equinumerous.
   • Comprehensive MCQ's in Mathematics, page 3:

     Finite sets A and B are equivalent sets only when n(A) = n(B) i.e., the number of elements in A and B are equal.

   • 1950, E. Kamke, Theory of Sets, page 16:

     All enumerable sets are equivalent to each other, but not to any finite set.

   • 2000, N. L. Carothers, Real Analysis, page 18:

     Equivalent sets should, by rights, have the same "number" of elements. For this reason we sometimes say that equivalent sets have the same cardinality.

   • 2006, Joseph Breuer, Introduction to the Theory of Sets, page 41:

     The equivalence theorem: If both M is equivalent to a subset N₁ of N and N is equivalent to a subset M₁ of M, then the sets M and N are equivalent to each other.

3. (mathematics) Relating to the corresponding elements of an equivalence relation.
4. (chemistry) Having the equal ability to combine.
5. (cartography) Of a map, equal-area.
6. (geometry) Equal in measure but not admitting of superposition; applied to magnitudes.

   A square may be equivalent to a triangle.

• In mathematics, this adjective can be used in phrases like "A and B are equivalent", "A is equivalent to B", and, less commonly, "A is equivalent with B".

• equivalently

equivalent (plural equivalents)

1. Anything that is virtually equal to something else, or has the same value, force, etc.
   • Macaulay

     He owned that, if the Test Act were repealed, the Protestants were entitled to some equivalent.

2. (chemistry) An equivalent weight.

equivalent (third-person singular simple present equivalents, present participle equivalenting, simple past and past participle equivalented)

1. (transitive) To make equivalent to; to equal.

equivalent (masculine and feminine plural equivalents)

1. equivalent

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equivalent (not comparable)

1. equivalent