n.
Pronunciation: -l ə nt
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French, from Late Latin aequivalent-, aequivalens, present participle of aequival ē re to have equal power, from Latin aequi- + val ē re to be strong ― more at WIELD
Date: 15th century
1 : equal in force, amount, or value also : equal in area or volume but not superposable <a square equivalent to a triangle>
2 a : like in signification or import b : having logical equivalence < equivalent statements>
3 : corresponding or virtually identical especially in effect or function
4 obsolete : equal in might or authority
5 : having the same chemical combining capacity < equivalent quantities of two elements>
6 a : having the same solution set < equivalent equations> b : capable of being placed in one-to-one correspondence < equivalent sets> c : related by an equivalence relation
synonyms see SAME
– equivalent noun
– equiv · a · lent · ly adverb