Definition: equal
Source: WordNet (r) 1.7
equal
adj 1: well matched; having the same quantity, value, or measure as
another; "on equal terms"; "all men are equal before
the law" [ant: unequal]
2: equal in amount or value; "like amounts"; "equivalent
amounts"; "the same amount"; "gave one six blows and the
other a like number"; "an equal number"; "the same number"
[syn: like, equivalent, same] [ant: unlike]
n : a person who is of equal standing with another in a group
[syn: peer, match, compeer]
v 1: be identical or equivalent to: "One dollar equals 1,000
rubles these days!" [syn: be] [ant: differ]
2: be equal to in quality or ability; "Nothing can rival
cotton for durability"; "Your performance doesn't even
touch that of your colleagues"; "Her persistence and
ambition only matches that of her parents" [syn: touch,
rival, match]
3: make equal, uniform, corresponding, or matching; "let's
equalize the duties among all employees in this office";
"The company matched the discount policy of its
competitors" [syn: match, equalize, equalise, equate]
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Equal \E"qual\, a. [L. aequalis, fr. aequus even, equal; akin to
Skr. ?ka, and perh. to L. unus for older oinos one, E. one.]
1. Agreeing in quantity, size, quality, degree, value, etc.;
having the same magnitude, the same value, the same
degree, etc.; -- applied to number, degree, quantity, and
intensity, and to any subject which admits of them;
neither inferior nor superior, greater nor less, better
nor worse; corresponding; alike; as, equal quantities of
land, water, etc.; houses of equal size; persons of equal
stature or talents; commodities of equal value.
2. Bearing a suitable relation; of just proportion; having
competent power, abilities, or means; adequate; as, he is
not equal to the task.
The Scots trusted not their own numbers as equal to
fight with the English. --Clarendon.
It is not permitted to me to make my commendations
equal to your merit. --Dryden.
Whose voice an equal messenger Conveyed thy meaning
mild. --Emerson.
3. Not variable; equable; uniform; even; as, an equal
movement. ``An equal temper.'' --Dryden.
4. Evenly balanced; not unduly inclining to either side;
characterized by fairness; unbiased; impartial; equitable;
just.
Are not my ways equal? --Ezek. xviii.
29.
Thee, O Jove, no equal judge I deem. --Spenser.
Nor think it equal to answer deliberate reason with
sudden heat and noise. --Milton.
5. Of the same interest or concern; indifferent.
They who are not disposed to receive them may let
them alone or reject them; it is equal to me.
--Cheyne.
6. (Mus.) Intended for voices of one kind only, either all
male or all female; -- opposed to mixed. [R.]
7. (Math.) Exactly agreeing with respect to quantity.
Equal temperament. (Mus.) See Temperament.
Syn: Even; equable; uniform; adequate; proportionate;
commensurate; fair; just; equitable.
Equal \E"qual\, n.
1. One not inferior or superior to another; one having the
same or a similar age, rank, station, office, talents,
strength, or other quality or condition; an equal quantity
or number; as, ``If equals be taken from equals the
remainders are equal.''
Those who were once his equals envy and defame him.
--Addison.
2. State of being equal; equality. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Equal \E"qual\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Equaledor Equalled; p. pr. & vb. n. Equaling or Equalling.] 1. To be or become equal to; to have the same quantity, the same value, the same degree or rank, or the like, with; to be commen?urate with. On me whose all not equals Edward's moiety. --Shak. 2. To make equal return to; to recompense fully. Who answered all her cares, and equaled all her love. --Dryden. 3. To make equal or equal to; to equalize; hence, to compare or regard as equals; to put on equality. He would not equal the mind that he found in himself to the infinite and incomprehensible. --Berkeley.
