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equivalent

Syllabification: (e·quiv·a·lent)
Pronunciation: /iˈkwivələnt/

Translate equivalent | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of equivalent

adjective

  • equal in value, amount, function, meaning, etc.:one unit is equivalent to one glass of wine
  • [predic.] (equivalent to) having the same or a similar effect as:some regulations are equivalent to censorship
  • Mathematics belonging to the same equivalence class.

noun

  • a person or thing that is equal to or corresponds with another in value, amount, function, meaning, etc.:the French equivalent of the FBI
  • (also equivalent weight) Chemistry the mass of a particular substance that can combine with or displace one gram of hydrogen or eight grams of oxygen, used in expressing combining powers, especially of elements.

Derivatives

equivalently

adverb

Origin:

late Middle English (describing persons who were equal in power or rank): via Old French from late Latin aequivalent- 'being of equal worth', from the verb aequivalere, from aequi- 'equally' + valere 'be worth'

equivalent in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of equivalent in the British & World English dictionary

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