equaladj.n.
/ˈiːkwəl/ A. adj.† 5. In sense of Latin æquus: Fair, equitable, just, impartial. Obsolete.† 7. † 10. Of numbers: Even. Obsolete. rare. Cf. Latin par.† 11. quasi-adv. Equally. Obsolete.
1. † c. Equally reciprocated.
a. Of magnitudes or numbers: Identical in amount; neither less nor greater than the object of comparison. Of things: Having the same measure; identical in magnitude, number, value, intensity, etc. Const. to, †with.In this and the next sense often with latent notion of ‘at least equal’; hence not equal to means usually ‘less than’, ‘inferior to’.
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the world > relative properties > relationship > equality or equivalence > [adjective]
evenlyeOE
evenOE
egallc1374
equalc1400
pareilc1450
just1551
matchable1558
parile1606
equivalenta1626
the world > relative properties > number > mathematical number or quantity > [adjective] > describing relationships between quantities > equal
equalc1400
c1400 ( Chaucer Treat. Astrolabe (Cambr. Dd.3.53) (1872) ii. §8. 21 To turn the howres in-equales in howres equales [L. Ad conuertendum horas inequales in horas equales].
c1400 ( Chaucer Treat. Astrolabe (Cambr. Dd.3.53) (1872) i. §16. 8 A smal croys..aboue the south lyne, þat shewith the 24 howres equals [L. æquales] of the clokke.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 676 Three hils, not in equall distaunce, nor yet in equall quantitie.
1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. xiv. 243 The three inner angles are equall with the two ryght angles.
1598 R. Barnfield Complaint of Poetrie xxxviii, in Encomion Lady Pecunia sig. C1 The wiues of Troy (for him) made æquall mone.
a1631 J. Donne Poems (1650) 8 When with my browne, my gray haires equall be.
a1665 K. Digby Jrnl. Voy. to Mediterranean (1868) 3 Then to shewe three lightes of aequall height fore and aft.
1694 Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in Ann. Misc. 33 Hairy Goats of equal profit are With woolly Sheep.
?1750 J. Wesley Primitive Physick (ed. 2) 128 Make..Flower and Fine Sugar, equal Quantities, into small Pills.
1776 W. Withering Brit. Plants (1796) III. 523 Stamens half as long again as the blossom, nearly equal.
1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. & Art I. 398 The actions of bodies on each other are always equal.
1818 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. (ed. 2) II. 223 He had equal equity with the mortgagee for 700l.
1838 T. Thomson Chem. Org. Bodies 656 The number of atoms of hydrogen and oxygen, must..be equal both in amidin and amylin.
1846 G. E. Day tr. J. F. Simon Animal Chem. II. 237 In both cases they occur in nearly equal ratios.
1858 D. Lardner Hand-bk. Nat. Philos.: Hydrostatics, Pneumatics, & Heat (new ed.) 132 If the velocity of the float boards were equal to that of the water.
b. other things being equal: transl. modern Latin ceteris paribus.
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1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 386 All other circumstances being supposed equal.
1889 Sat. Rev. 16 Mar. 318/1 Other things being equal, the chances of any man being hit in action vary..with the rate of fire to which he is exposed.
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?c1550 tr. P. Vergil Eng. Hist. (1846) I. ii. 68 I nothinge desired more ardentlie then the æquall amitte of the Romains.
2. † c. Equivalent; serving the same purpose. Const. as, with. Obsolete. rare.
a. Possessing a like degree of a (specified or implied) quality or attribute; on the same level in rank, dignity, power, ability, achievement, or excellence; having the same rights or privileges. Const. to, with.
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society > society and the community > social class > [adjective] > co-equal or of the same measure or standing
eveneOE
evenmetec1175
egallc1374
coequala1475
equal1526
fellowlike1526
democratic1811
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. Dviv Wherfore he is nowe resident, equall in glory to the father.
1605 Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning i. sig. E1v The ancient custome was, to dedicate them [sc. books] only to priuate and equall friendes. View more context for this quotation
1611 Bible (King James) 2 Macc. viii. 30 And made the maimed, orphanes, widowes, yea, & the aged also, equal in spoils with themselves. View more context for this quotation
1611 Bible (King James) John v. 18 Making himselfe equall with God. View more context for this quotation
a1616 Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) v. i. 89 Vnloose thy long imprisoned thoughts, And let thy tongue be equall with thy heart. View more context for this quotation
a1631 J. Donne Iuuenilia (1633) sig. G2v Wee deny soules to others equall to them in all but in speech.
1667 Milton Paradise Lost ix. 823 The more to draw his Love, And render me more equal . View more context for this quotation
1725 E. Fenton in Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey I. i. 383 For the chaste Queen select an equal Lord.
1818 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. (ed. 2) VI. 432 He meant his children to be all equal.
1834 N.Y. Evening Post 4 Apr. 2/2 A war of exclusive privileges against equal rights.
1878 W. S. Jevons Polit. Econ. 75 All men, it has been said, are born free and equal.
1889 C. M. Yonge in Monthly Packet Christmas No., 31 It was of no use to talk to an old wretch like that about social movements and equal rights.
1923 Management Engin. IV. 343/2 Equal Pay, a principle whereby, given a specific occupation, the rate of pay should be the same for both sexes, output being the same.
1956 Ann. Reg. 1955 3 On 25 January Mr. Butler announced that an agreed basis had been found for the introduction of ‘equal pay’ (for both sexes) in the non-industrial civil service.
Categories »
b. Music. equal voices: voices either all male or all female.
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the world > relative properties > relationship > equality or equivalence > [adjective] > equal in effect or equivalent
convertiblec1386
fellowa1393
equipollec1430
answerable1551
countervailable1576
equiparable1611
reciprocal1616
equiparant1625
equiponderant1629
equivalent1639
tantamount1641
equiparate1655
equipollent1664
equal1677
adequative1809
1677 A. Yarranton England's Improvem. 10 Paper in Holland is equal with Moneys in England.
1677 A. Yarranton England's Improvem. 13 A Ticket upon such Lands given to the Merchant would be equal to him as ready money.
3.
a. Adequate or fit in quantity or degree. Now only const. to; formerly also simply.
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the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > [adjective] > of appropriate size or amount
meeta1325
skilful1387
reasonablec1405
equala1674
a1674 Earl of Clarendon Hist. Rebellion (1703) II. viii. 369 The Scots not then trusting their own great Numbers, as equal to fight with the English.
1700 Dryden Fables Ded. sig. Bijv To make my Commendations equal to your Merits.
1719 I. Watts Hymns i. lxiii What equal Honours shall we bring To Thee, O Lord.
1791 J. Hampson Mem. J. Wesley II. 28 Of the conduct of the magistrates..it is impossible to speak in equal terms of severity and indignation.
b. Adequately fit or qualified. Of persons: Having strength, endurance, or ability adequate to some requirement. Phrase, equal to the occasion.
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the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > [adjective] > adequate for the case or conditions
fulfilling1340
satisfactory1576
proportionate1614
adequatea1617
satisfactive1646
equal1697
1697 Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics ii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 80 The Soil..Is..equal to the Pasture and the Plough. View more context for this quotation
1769 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) I. iii. 27 The part you have undertaken is at least as much as you are equal to.
1813 J. Austen Pride & Prejudice I. vii. 71 She was not equal, however, to much conversation. View more context for this quotation
1816 Brief Remarks Eng. Manners 20 He did not feel equal to receiving the congratulations of the company.
1827 R. Southey Hist. Peninsular War II. 124 They were not equal to contend with disciplined troops.
1872 H. P. Liddon Some Elements Relig. i. 4 Schemes of independent morality..are not equal to resisting the impetuosities of passion.
1878 R. B. Smith Carthage 163 Gescon was equal to the emergency.
4. † c. it is equal to me (whether): = ‘it makes no difference’, ‘it is all the same’. Obsolete. Cf. French c'est égal, German es ist mir gleich.
a. Of distribution, mixture, etc.: Evenly proportioned. Of rules, laws, conditions, processes, or actions (hence of agents): Affecting all objects in the same manner and degree; uniform in effect or operation (often passing into A. 5).
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the world > relative properties > relationship > uniformity > [adjective] > uniform or free from fluctuation
evena1325
steady1548
uniform1559
equal1661
equablea1676
steadyish1833
1661 S. Morgan Sphere of Gentry i. i. 4 Consisting of the equallest mixture or temper of the four elements.
1676 H. Phillippes Purchasers Pattern A v b Though this way of valuing the ground be as equal and general a rule as can be; yet, etc.
1696 W. Whiston New Theory of Earth i. 36 The equaller Division of the Year allow'd for.
1781 Gibbon Decline & Fall II. xxxiii. 251 The army dreaded his equal and inexorable justice.
1836 T. P. Thompson Exercises (1842) IV. 80 If the Irish were refused equal laws, they would demand the dissolution of the Union.
1840 W. E. Gladstone Church Princ. 187 The Church contemplates with equal eye the whole of God's ordinances.
b. Of a contest: Evenly balanced.
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society > society and the community > dissent > competition or rivalry > [adjective] > types of competition
drawn1610
indifferent?1611
cut-throat?a1625
equal1653
runaway1797
close-run1813
neck and neck1828
tight1828
dog-eat-dog1872
winner-take(s)-all1969
two-horse1976
1653 H. Holcroft tr. Procopius Persian Wars i. 22 in tr. Procopius Hist. Warres Justinian Two thirds of the day were past, and the fight yet equall.
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1715 G. Cheyne Philos. Princ. Relig.: Pt. II ii. Pref. sig. A4 They..may let them alone or reject them, it is equal to me.
1746 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1851) V. 57 The Governor said it was equal to him when they adjourn'd.
1749 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 2 Oct. (1932) (modernized text) IV. 1413 Whether along the coast of the Adriatic, or that of the Mediterranean, it is equal to me.
1769 O. Goldsmith Rom. Hist. II. viii. 260 It was equal to him whether he fell by his enemies in the field, or by his creditors in the city.
d. equal opportunity, the opportunity or right to be employed or considered for employment without prejudice or discrimination on the grounds of race, gender, physical or mental handicap, etc. In earlier wider use: see equality of opportunity n. at equality n. 2c. Also equal opportunities and as attributive phr.; equal-opportunity employer (orig. U.S.), one who professes not to discriminate against applicants or employees on such grounds.
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1925 D. H. Lawrence Refl. Death Porcupine 155 They talk about ‘equal opportunity’: but it is bunk, ridiculous bunk. It is the old fable of the fox asking the stork to dinner.
1963 N.Y. Times 22 July 14/5 Mr. Screvane proposed to the Board of Estimate that $3,400,000,000 in city pension funds be invested only in securities of equal-opportunity employers.
1972 N.Y. Times 3 Nov. L/9 N.Y. Hilton..An equal opportunity employer.
1973 Black Panther 3 Mar. c/2 Those racist tenant businesses located at the Port of Oakland can and must be..made to apply the ‘equal opportunity’ and ‘affirmative action’ guidelines.
1977 B. Pym Quartet in Autumn ix. 79 ‘Equal opportunities!’ said Norman. ‘That's one of the things we men prefer to leave to the ladies.’
1979 Tucson (Arizona) Citizen 3 Oct. 17 a/1 (advt.) We are an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F.
1984 Times Educ. Suppl. 30 Nov. 11/2 It may also recommend giving one governor on each body special responsibility for equal opportunities.
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society > morality > rightness or justice > [adjective] > fair or equitable
evenOE
skillwisea1300
leal1352
faira1387
mensurablea1398
equal1535
squarea1616
candid1643
equable1643
equitable1646
conscionable1647
1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) II. 503 Equale in justice but partialitie.
1545 Leland in J. Strype Eccl. Mem. I. App. cxviii. 332 My great labours..have profyted the studyous, gentyl, and equal reders.
1592 Greenes Groats-worth of Witte Let. to Wife sig. F4 Equall heauen hath denide that comfort.
1641 S. Marshall et al. Answer Hvmble Remonstr. §5 (1653) 22 This had been no more rationall or equall then the former.
1656 J. Bramhall Replic. to Bishop of Chalcedon iv. 188 Is it equall that the Court of Rome themselves should be the Judges?
1681 T. A. Religio Clerici To Rdr. 1 To the equal Reader.
1769 W. Robertson Hist. Charles V III. xi. 354 Proposals of peace, which were equal and moderate.
6. Of surfaces: Level, on the same level (archaic). †equal to: level with.
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the world > space > relative position > horizontal position or condition > [adjective] > lying in same horizontal plane
evena1400
level1559
equala1649
level1795
flush1799
square1814
aflush1880
a1649 W. Drummond Hist. James V in Wks. (1711) 116 The most Part of the Church was made equal to the Ground.
1715 N. Dubois & G. Leoni tr. A. Palladio Architecture I. xxii. 38 All the Rooms..of the same story, may have their floor or pavement equal.
1850 E. B. Browning Poems I. 156 The equal plains of fruitful Sicily.
a. Uniform throughout in appearance, dimensions, or properties Obsolete.
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the world > relative properties > relationship > uniformity > [adjective]
oneOE
consimilec1400
suinga1425
even?c1425
agreeable1512
uniform1540
consemblable?1541
suant1547
constantc1550
just?1556
similar1563
similary1564
unvaried1570
uniformal1574
consimilar1577
homogeneana1601
homogeneal1603
homogene1607
invariable1607
of a piece1607
undistinguisheda1616
univocal1615
immutable1621
uniformable1632
solemn1639
homogeneous1646
consistent1651
pariformal1651
self-consistent1651
congeniousa1656
level1655
undiversificated1659
equal1663
of one make1674
invarieda1676
congenerous1683
undiversified1684
equable1693
solid1699
consisting1700
tranquil1794
unbranching1826
horizontal1842
sole1845
self-similar1847
homoeomeric1865
equiformal1883
monochrome1970
1663 B. Gerbier Counsel to Builders 50 A rooff covered with them is of an equall colour.
1686 W. Aglionby Painting Illustr. (new ed.) iii. 107 The Painter must observe an equal Air, so as not to make one part Musculous and Strong, and the other Soft and Tender.
1691 T. Hale Acct. New Inventions 98 A Sheet of their full length equal within one pound in ten quite through.
1726 G. Leoni tr. L. B. Alberti Archit. II. 18 a Large Stones, sound, equal, handsome and rare.
1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) §246 That the building should be a column of equal strength, proportionate in every part to the stress it was likely to bear.
b. Botany. Symmetrical, having both sides alike.
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1876 J. H. Balfour in Encycl. Brit. IV. 1110 When the parenchyma is developed symmetrically on each side of the midrib or stalk, the leaf is equal.
8. Of movements, pressure, heat, light, etc.: Even, free from fluctuation in rate or intensity. rare. (With this and the next sense cf. equable adj. 1.)
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the world > time > change > absence of change, changelessness > [adjective]
fasteOE
inunvariable1535
uniform1559
changeless1575
unvariant1582
wasteless1589
unchanging1595
inherent1601
unselfchanging1605
shiftless1606
ne'er-changinga1616
waxlessa1618
immutable1621
equal1626
irreducible1633
indiminishable1641
imprevaricable1644
Median1649
undiminishable1653
assiduous1661
unvarying1690
unfluctuating1723
unrelapsing1740
stable1742
unarbitrary1793
untransferable1794
unaltering1813
constant1817
all-or-nothing1853
all-or-none1864
reducelessc1864
unaugmentable1868
invariant1874
inadaptive1886
plateaued1899
steady state1909
hardcore1951
homoeostatic1955
monochromatic1959
1626 Bacon Sylua Syluarum §392 Try them by Boyling vpon an Equall Fire.
1692 J. Ray Wisdom of God (ed. 2) i. 52 These Revolutions..are as exactly equal and uniform as the Earths are.
1761 Earl of Pembroke Mil. Equitation (1778) 63 Even or equal trot.
1820 Shelley Prometheus Unbound iii. iv. 115 Thy chaste sister Who guides the frozen and inconstant moon Will look on thy more warm and equal light.
9. Of the mind, temper, demeanour, tone of voice: Even, tranquil, undisturbed, unruffled. archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > calmness > [adjective]
eveneOE
still1340
unperturbeda1450
unmovedc1480
quietful1494
lowna1500
calma1568
calmya1586
unpassionatea1586
smartless1593
reposeful1594
dispassionate1595
recollected1595
unaffectedc1595
unpassioned?1605
unpassionated1611
collecteda1616
tranquila1616
untouched1616
impassionate1621
composed1628
dispassioneda1631
tranquillous1638
slow1639
serene1640
dispassionated1647
imperturbed1652
unruffled1654
reposing1655
equanimous1656
perplacid1660
placate1662
equal1680
collect1682
cooled1682
posed1693
sedate1693
impassive1699
uninflamed1714
unexcited1735
unalarmed1756
unfanned1764
unagitated1772
undistraught1773
recollected1792
equable1796
unfussy1823
take-it-easy1825
unflurried1854
cool1855
comfortable1856
disimpassioned1860
tremorless1869
unpressured1879
unrippled1883
ice-cool1891
unrattled1891
Zen-likea1908
unrestless1919
steadyish1924
ataractic1941
relaxed1958
nonplussed1960
loose1968
Zenned-out1968
downtempo1972
mellowed1977
de-stressed1999
1680 T. Otway Orphan ii. 22 Who can hear this and bear an equal mind!
1693 Dryden tr. Juvenal Satires x. 194 An equal Temper in his Mind he found, When Fortune flatter'd him, and when she frown'd.
1781 Gibbon Decline & Fall III. 9 He proceeded, in a firm and equal tone, to offer Theodosius the alternative of peace, or war.
1821 Scott Kenilworth II. x. 251 He.., thus addressed him, in a tone tolerably equal.
1842 Tennyson Lotos-eaters: Choric Song (rev. ed.) viii, in Poems (new ed.) I. 183 Let us swear an oath, and keep it with an equal mind.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > mathematical number or quantity > [adjective] > describing particular qualities > even
evena1398
equal1806
1806 G. Gregory Dict. Arts & Sci. I. at Bridge The piers of stone bridges should be equal in number, that there may be one arch in the middle.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > equality or equivalence > [adverb]
evenlyeOE
evenOE
evenOE
egallyc1374
full outa1382
likea1400
even-forthc1400
unec1540
just1551
at once1588
upon the same measure1598
equal1623
equally1634
coequally1643
so1697
inasmuch1732
twinly1913
1623 Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Henry VIII i. i. 159 He is equall rau'nous As he is subtile. View more context for this quotation
1623 P. Massinger Duke of Millaine ii. i. sig. F1v Thou art A thing, that, equall with the Diuell himselfe, I doe detest.
1633 P. Fletcher Purple Island iv. xv. 41 Therfore obtain'd an equall distant seat.
1659 Dryden Heroique Stanza's v, in E. Waller et al. Three Poems 2 Where all the Parts so equall perfect are.
B. n.
1. One who is equal to another:† c. in age: (a) One who has lived as long; (b) A contemporary. Cf. Latin æquālis. Obsolete.
a. in rank or standing.
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the world > relative properties > relationship > equality or equivalence > [noun] > equal, counterpart, or equivalent > person
headlingOE
peerc1300
evena1393
ferea1400
matchc1400
paregalc1425
paragon1557
equal1573
coequal1577
perequala1578
copartner1591
corrivala1592
1573 G. Harvey Let.-bk. (1884) 4 M. Nevil hath shown himself disdainful towards his æquals and superiors too.
1600 Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing ii. i. 155 She is no equall for his birth. View more context for this quotation
1615 J. Day Festivals 322 First, that they match with their Equals as neere as may be, both in Condition of State of Life, as also in Yeers.
1637 W. Alexander Jonathan in Recreat. Muses ii. 318 You (though Subjects) may my equals make.
1754 Earl of Chatham Lett. to Nephew (1804) v. 38 Towards equals, nothing becomes a man so well as well-bred ease.
1846 H. H. Wilson Hist. Brit. India 1805–35 II. xi. 468 The Governor-General, whom, as exercising a delegated authority only, he refused to recognise as the equal of a king.
1877 J. B. Mozley Univ. Serm. (ed. 3) ix. 194 Humility is much more tried by equals than it is by inferiors.
b. in power or achievement, or in any specified quality; a ‘match’.
ΚΠ
a1616 Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) i. i. 253 Sicin. Was euer man so proud as is this Martius? Bru. He has no equall . View more context for this quotation
1667 Milton Paradise Lost vi. 248 Satan..Prodigious power had shewn, and met in Armes No equal . View more context for this quotation
1792 J. Almon Anecd. Life W. Pitt (octavo ed.) IV. App. 270 A minister who never had his equal..for wisdom and integrity.
1875 C. D. E. Fortnum Maiolica iv. 43 Orazio had no equal in the execution of his paintings.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > simultaneity or contemporaneousness > [noun] > coevality or equality in age > of the same age (with)
even-oldOE
equal1596
coeval1656
contemporary1678
1596 J. Harington New Disc. Aiax sig. G7v That I may now deale with mine equals, and not with my auncients.
1611 Bible (King James) Gal. i. 14 And profited in the Iewes Religion, aboue many my equals in mine owne nation. View more context for this quotation
1678 R. Cudworth True Intellect. Syst. Universe i. iv. 443 A Sophist, Plutarch's Equal.
2. abstr. an equal n. a state of equality; an equal footing. Obsolete exc. dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > equality or equivalence > [noun]
comparison1340
evennessa1398
evenhead?a1400
equipollencec1430
pareil?c1450
equalityc1460
comparation1483
egalness1526
equalness1530
equivalency1535
eveningc1540
equivalencea1542
indifferency1569
owelty1579
coequality1583
mateship1593
equal1596
adequation1605
parity1609
parility1610
matchableness1611
equipollency1623
equiparance1624
egality1628
equipage1633
comparitya1635
omniparity1635
peership1641
exequation1656
equipoise1658
equipotency1658
countervalue1660
adequateness1664
commensurablenessa1676
peerage1681
égalité1794
peerdom1891
1596 Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene v. ii. sig. N7 Thou that presum'st to weigh the world anew, And all things to an equall to restore. View more context for this quotation
1891 N.E.D. at Equal Mod. (Derbysh.) He talks to me as if we were on an equal.
Compounds
General attributive. C1. Parasynthetic derivatives.
a.
equal-armed n. and adj.
ΚΠ
1833 J. Holland Treat. Manuf. Metal II. 286 The equal-armed balance, so commonly seen in this country.
1881 Athenæum 23 Apr. 567/1 At the top is an equal-armed cross.
equal-blooded adj.
ΚΠ
1763 C. Churchill Epist. to W. Hogarth 9 Thou equal-blooded judge.
equal-eyed adj.
ΚΠ
1876 A. C. Swinburne Erechtheus (ed. 2) 677 Toward good and ill, then, equal-eyed of soul.
equal-headed adj.
ΚΠ
1889 G. Findlay Working & Managem. Eng. Railway 42 In 1837 the double and equal-headed reversible rail was originated by Joseph Locke.
equal-limbed adj.
ΚΠ
1855 H. H. Milman Hist. Lat. Christianity VI. xiv. viii. 572 The short equal-limbed Greek cross.
equal-sided adj.
ΚΠ
1807 T. Thomson Syst. Chem. (ed. 3) II. 571 Four-sided prisms, terminated by equal-sided pyramids.
equal-souled adj.
ΚΠ
1876 A. C. Swinburne Erechtheus (ed. 2) 676 Nor thine nor mine, but equal-souled are they.
b.
equal-handedness n.
ΚΠ
1830 T. P. Thompson in Westm. Rev. July 219 A government of so much benevolence and equal-handedness.
C2. Adverbial.
equal-balanced adj.
ΚΠ
1678 J. Norris Coll. Misc. (1699) 312 If the Good and the Evil be equal-ballanc'd.
equal-poised adj.
ΚΠ
1635 J. Swan Speculum Mundi vi. §2. 209 The rising and falling of the beam of an equall-poised balance.
1850 Tennyson In Memoriam lxxxiii. 118 O friendship, equal-poised control. View more context for this quotation
equal-suited adj.
ΚΠ
a1592 R. Greene Hist. Orlando Furioso (1594) sig. Fv The Lillies and the natiue Rose Sits equall suted with a blushing red.
C3.
equal-area adj. designating a form of map projection in which equal areas of the surface are represented by equal areas on the map, the shapes being distorted; cf. homalographic adj. 1.
ΚΠ
1912 A. R. Hinks Map Projections iii. 26 Albers' conical equal area projection.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online March 2019).
equalv.
/ˈiːkwəl/ 1. † b. To proportion. Obsolete.† c. To make (ground) level: to level (a building) to, with the ground; to make (a ditch) level by filling up. Obsolete.
a. To make equal, equalize; to bring to the same level. Const. with, or simply. archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > equality or equivalence > make equal [verb (transitive)]
evenOE
peerc1480
parifyc1487
fellow?a1513
equate1530
coequal1588
adequate1593
equal1594
parallela1616
parallelize1620
equalize1622
coequalize1634
appariate1652
coextend1656
equalify1679
square1815
1594 S. Daniel Trag. Cleopatra Ded Wherby great Sidney & our Spencer might, With those Po singers being equalled, Enchaunt the world.
1611 Bible (King James) 2 Sam. xxii. 34 He maketh my feet like [margin. equalleth] hinds' feet. View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost i. 248 Him..Whom reason hath equald, force hath made supream Above his equals . View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iii. 33 Those other two equal'd with me in Fate. View more context for this quotation
1687 J. Dryden Hind & Panther i. 26 Rebellion equals all.
1705 G. Stanhope Paraphr. Epist. & Gospels I. 52 Persons equalled in the Favour of God.
1868 J. G. Whittier Among Hills xvii The fair democracy of flowers That equals cot and palace.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > adaptation or adjustment > adapt or adjust [verb (transitive)] > make proportionate (to)
proportiona1398
qualify1548
modulatec1570
proportionate1570
measure1590
cantle1603
apportion1615
equal1618
commensurate1660
scantle1711
1618 S. Latham New & 2nd Bk. Falconrie viii. 24 Compare or equall so your meat with the length or shortnesse of time, as that she shall neuer be ouer emptie, yet neuerthelesse shal ever have a perfect appetite.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > flatness or levelness > make flat or level [verb (transitive)]
evenlOE
slighta1300
planec1350
complanec1420
levelc1450
dismount1563
planish1580
equalize1596
equal1610
to even out1613
flat1613
flattena1631
complanate1643
platten1688
reconcile1712
range1825
macadamize1826
lay1892
plata1903
the world > space > relative position > horizontal position or condition > place in horizontal position [verb (transitive)] > bring to one level
level1563
equalize1596
equal1610
equiparate1632
1610 R. Hill Pathway to Prayer (ed. 4) sig. P3 The goodliest Cities haue bin equalled with the ground.
a1649 W. Drummond Hist. James III in Wks. (1711) 39 The Fortress..is demolished and equal'd with the Ground.
1681 R. Knox Hist. Ceylon (1817) 89 He employs his people..equalling unequal grounds.
1742 N. Dubois & G. Leoni tr. A. Palladio Antiq. Rome iii, in tr. A. Palladio Architecture (ed. 3) II. 61 Equalling Ditches with raised or even Ground.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > comparison > compare [verb (transitive)] > equate in value
evenOE
parifyc1487
value1560
equalize1599
equal1607
impale1647
equiparate1671
analogize1801
equate1840
par1878
1607 T. Rogers Faith, Doctr., & Relig. 28 To them which with Gods word doe equal their owne doctrines.
1635 E. Pagitt Christianographie (1636) i. iii. 89 Their Dogmaticall Traditions, which they Equall with the holy Scriptures.
a1672 P. Sterry Disc. Freedom of Will (1675) 150 As equalling God in savage cruelness to the most arbitrary Tyrants.
1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 114. ⁋9 To equal robbery with murder, is to reduce murder to robbery.
1807 S. Turner Hist. Anglo-Saxons (ed. 2) I. iii. iv. 219 Not content with equalling the pleasures of war to social festivity.
3. transitive. To be or become equal to; to ‘come up to’, match, rival.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > equality or equivalence > make equal [verb (transitive)] > equal, match, or rival
matchc1400
to hold, rarely have, tack with (to)1412
equalize15..
mate1509
touch1530
to hold (a person, etc.) tack (to tack)1555
equal1590
egall1591
countermatch1600
to weigh with (also even with)1600
emulate1602
side1605
compeer1608
pair1619
mount1628
amate1642
to hold weight witha1643
to be (also prove oneself) a match for1712
peel1726
to hold the sticks toa1817
to bear or stand comparison with1845
see1861
tie1888
1590 C. Marlowe Tamburlaine: 2nd Pt. sig. L2v Let earth and heauen his timelesse death deplore, For both their worths wil equal him no more.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III i. ii. 236 On me [Richard] whose all not equals Edwards moity. View more context for this quotation
1611 Bible (King James) Job xxviii. 17 The golde and the chrystall cannot equall it. View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost i. 40 He trusted to have equal'd the most High, If he oppos'd. View more context for this quotation
1792 J. Almon Anecd. Life W. Pitt (octavo ed.) IV. App. 268 He came very young into Parliament, and..soon equalled the oldest and ablest actors.
1812 H. Davy Elements Chem. Philos. 106 The weight of the carbonic acid gas exactly equals the weight of carbonic oxide and the oxygene gas.
1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth xi, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. III. 291 There are enough of brave men around me, whom I may imitate if I cannot equal.
1876 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People vii. 355 The courage of the Queen..was only equalled by her terrible revenge.
1880 S. Haughton Six Lect. Physical Geogr. vi. 281 They nearly equalled the elephant in size.
4.
a. To produce or achieve something equal to, to match. †Also intransitive. To cope on equal terms with (obsolete rare).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > equality or equivalence > make equal [verb (transitive)] > be equal to or match > produce or achieve something equal to
equal1600
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 i. iii. 67 I thinke we are so, body strong enough, euen as we are to equal with the King. View more context for this quotation
c1610–15 tr. Gregory of Nazianzus Life St. Gorgonia in C. Horstmann Lives Women Saints (1886) 154 It is a difficult matter, to equall my sisters vertues with my speache.
a1745 W. Broome To Pope 26 A rival hand recalls from ev'ry part Some latent grace, and equals art with art.
a1832 J. Mackintosh Machiavel in Wks. (1846) II. 480 Historical genius had risen..to a height which has not been equalled among the same nation in times of greater refinement.
b. To reciprocate in equal measure.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > correlation > correlate [verb (transitive)] > reciprocate
countervail1583
repay?1586
equalize1598
respond1600
equal1697
mutualize1812
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis vi, in tr. Virgil Wks. 381 [She] sought Sicheus, thro' the shady Grove, Who answer'd all her Cares, and equal'd all her Love.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones V. xiii. ix. 78 The ardent Passion..the extreme Violence of which if he failed to equal, [etc.] . View more context for this quotation
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online March 2019).
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adj.n.c1400v.1590