Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Equivalent
E-quiv′a-lent
(ē̍-kwĭv′ȧ-lent)
, Adj.
1.
Equal in worth or value, force, power, effect, import, and the like; alike in significance and value; of the same import or meaning.
For now to serve and to minister, servile and ministerial, are terms
equivalent
. South.
2.
(Geom.)
Equal in measure but not admitting of superposition; – applied to magnitudes;
as, a square may be
. equivalent
to a triangle3.
(Geol.)
Contemporaneous in origin;
as, the
. equivalent
strata of different countriesE-quiv′a-lent
(ē̍-kwĭv′ȧ-lent)
, Noun.
1.
Something equivalent; that which is equal in value, worth, weight, or force;
as, to offer an
. equivalent
for damage doneHe owned that, if the Test Act were repealed, the Protestants were entitled to some
equivalent
. . . . During some weeks the word equivalent
, then lately imported from France, was in the mouths of all the coffeehouse orators. Macaulay.
2.
(Chem.)
That comparative quantity by weight of an element which possesses the same chemical value as other elements, as determined by actual experiment and reference to the same standard. Specifically:
(a)
The comparative proportions by which one element replaces another in any particular compound; thus, as zinc replaces hydrogen in hydrochloric acid, their equivalents are 32.5 and 1. (b)
The combining proportion by weight of a substance, or the number expressing this proportion, in any particular compound; as, the
. equivalents
of hydrogen and oxygen in water are respectively 1 and 8, and in hydric dioxide 1 and 16☞ This term was adopted by Wollaston to avoid using the conjectural expression atomic weight, with which, however, for a time it was practically synonymous. The attempt to limit the term to the meaning of a universally comparative combining weight failed, because of the possibility of several compounds of the substances by reason of the variation in combining power which most elements exhibit. The equivalent was really identical with, or a multiple of submultiple of, the atomic weight.
3.
(Chem.)
A combining unit, whether an atom, a radical, or a molecule;
as, in acid salt two or more
. equivalents
of acid unite with one or more equivalents
of baseE-quiv′a-lent
,Verb.
T.
To make the equivalent to; to equal; equivalence.
[R.]
Webster 1828 Edition
Equivalent
EQUIV'ALENT
,Adj.
1.
Equal in force, power or effect. A steam engine may have force or power equivalent to that of thirty horses.2.
Equal in moral force, cogency or effect on the mind. Circumstantial evidence may be almost equivalent to full proof.3.
Of the same import or meaning. Friendship and amity are equivalent terms.For now to serve and to minister, servile and ministerial, are terms equivalent.
Equivalent propositions in logic are called also equipollent.
4.
Equal in excellence or moral worth.EQUIV'ALENT
,Noun.
1.
In chimistry, equivalent is the particular weight or quantity of any substance which is necessary to saturate any other with which it can combine. It is ascertained that chimical combinations are definite, that is, the same body always enters into combination in the same weight, or if it can combine with a particular body in more than one proportion, the higher proportion is always a multiple of the lower.Definition 2024
équivalent
équivalent
See also: equivalent
French
Adjective
équivalent m (feminine singular équivalente, masculine plural équivalents, feminine plural équivalentes)
Noun
équivalent m (plural équivalents)