■ adjective
1》 being the same in quantity, size, degree, value, or status.
↘evenly or fairly balanced: an ~ contest.
2》 ( ~ to ) having the ability or resources to meet (a challenge).
■ noun a person or thing that is ~ to another.
■ verb ( ~s , ~ling , ~led ; US ~s , ~ing , ~ed ) be ~ or equivalent to.
↘match or rival.
Origin
ME: from L. a~is , from aequus 'even, level, ~'.