Origin: 1350–1400; Middle English (adj.) < Latin aequālis equal, like, equivalent to aequ(us) even, plain, just + -ālis-al1
Related forms
non·e·qual, adjective, noun
qua·si-e·qual, adjective
qua·si-e·qual·ly, adverb
sub·e·qual, adjective
sub·e·qual·ly, adverb
Synonyms 2. proportionate, commensurate, coordinate, correspondent. Equal,equivalent,tantamount imply a correspondence between two or more things. Equal indicates a correspondence in all respects or in a particular respect: A dime is equal to 10 cents (that is, in purchasing power). Equivalent indicates a correspondence in one or more respects, but not in all: An egg is said to be the equivalent of a pound of meat in nutritive value. Tantamount, a word of limited application, is used of immaterial things that are equivalent: The prisoner's refusal to answer was tantamount to an admission of guilt. 4. even, uniform, regular, unvarying, invariant. 6. suited, fitted. 10. peer, compeer, match, mate, fellow.
late 14c., from L. aequalis "uniform, identical, equal," from aequus "level, even, just," of unknown origin. Parallel formation egal (from O.Fr. egal) was in use late 14c.-17c.