Equivalent \E*quiv"a*lent\, n.
1. Something equivalent; that which is equal in value, worth,
weight, or force; as, to offer an equivalent for damage
done.
He owned that, if the Test Act were repealed, the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. --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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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Equivalent \E*quiv"a*lent\, a. [L. aequivalens, -entis, p. pr.
of aequivalere to have equal power; aequus equal + valere to
be strong, be worth: cf. F. ['e]quivalent. See Equal, and
Valiant.]
1. Equal in wortir 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 triangle.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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