n.
Pronunciation: ' r ī -v ə l
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin rivalis one using the same stream as another, rival in love, from rivalis of a stream, from rivus stream ― more at RUN
Date: 1577
1 a : one of two or more striving to reach or obtain something that only one can possess b : one striving for competitive advantage
2 obsolete : COMPANION , ASSOCIATE
3 : one that equals another in desired qualities : PEER