[ ɪ'kwɪv(ə)l(ə)nt ]
■ adjective
1》 equal in value, amount, function, meaning, etc.
↘( ~ to ) having the same or a similar effect as.
2》 Mathematics belonging to the same equivalence class.
■ noun
1》 a person or thing that is ~ to another.
2》 (also ~ 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 of elements.
Derivatives
~ly adverb
Origin
ME: via OFr. from late L. a~- , aequivalere 'be of equal worth'.