Equal a. and sb.

Forms: ? 4 pl. equals, -les, 6–7 æqual(l, equall, 6 equale, 6– equal. See also EGALL. [ad. L. æquālis, f. æqu-us level, even, just.

  As the form of the L. æquus does not permit it to be directly anglicized without the addition of a suffix, the Eng. equal represents the senses of that word as well as those of its derivative æquālis. The OF. equal (orig. a literary adaptation of the L. word, the regular phonetic descendant of which, ewel, ivel, was in popular use) does not seem to have been adopted in Eng.; but its later form egual (esgal), egal became Eng. in 14th c. (see EGALL), and did not become wholly obs. until the 17th c.]

  1.  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.’)

c. 1391.  Chaucer, Astrol., I. § 16. A smal croys … aboue the south lyne, þat shewith the 24 howres equals [Lat. æquales] of the clokke. Ibid., II. § 8. To turn the howres in-equales in howres equales [Ad conuertendum horas in-equales in horas equales].

1568.  Grafton, Chron., II. 676. Three hils, not in equall distaunce, nor yet in equall quantitie.

1587.  Golding, De Mornay, xiv. 243. In a Tryangle, the three inner angles are equall with the too ryght angles.

1598.  Barnfield, Compl. Poetrie, xxxviii. The wiues of Troy (for him) made æquall mone.

1628.  Digby, Voy. Medit. (1868), 3. Then to shewe three lightes of æquall height fore and aft.

a. 1631.  Donne, Poems (1650), 8. When with my browne, my gray haires equall be.

1697.  Dryden, Virg. Georg., III. 477/110.

1747.  Wesley, Prim. Physick (1762), 116. Flower and fine Sugar equal quantities.

1776.  Withering, Brit. Plants (1796), III. 523. Stamens half as long again as the blossom, nearly equal.

1816.  J. Smith, Panorama Sci. & Art, I. 398. The actions of bodies on each other are always equal.

1818.  Cruise, Digest (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. Day, trans. Simon’s Anim. Chem., II. 237. In both cases they occur in nearly equal ratios.

1858.  Lardner, Handbk. Nat. Phil., Hydrost., 132. If the velocity of the float boards were equal to that of the water.

  b.  phr. Other things being equal: transl. mod.L. ceteris paribus.

1848.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 386. All other circumstances being supposed equal, the inns will be best where the menas of locomotion are worst.

1889.  Sat. Rev., 16 March, 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.

  † c.  Equally reciprocated.

c. 1540.  trans. Pol. Vergil’s Eng. Hist. (Camd.), I. 68. I nothinge desired more ardentlie than the æqual amitte of the Romains.

  2.  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.

1526.  Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 13. Where he is now resydent, equall in glory to the father.

1593.  Shaks., 2 Hen. VI., V. i. 89. Vnloose thy long imprisoned thoughts, And let thy tongue be equall with thy heart.

1605.  Bacon, Adv. Learn., I. iii. § 9. E 1 b. The ancient custome was, to dedicate them [Bookes] only to priuate and equall friendes.

1611.  Bible, 2 Macc. viii. 30. And made the maimed, orphanes, widowes, yea, & the aged also, equal in spoiles w^t themselues. Ibid., John v. 18. Making himselfe equall with God.

a. 1631.  Donne, Paradoxes (1652), 45. We deny soules to others equall to them in all but in speech.

1667.  Milton, P. L., IX. 823. The more to draw his Love, And render me more equal.

1725.  Pope, Odyss., I. 383. For the chaste Queen select an equal Lord.

1818.  Cruise, Digest (ed. 2), VI. 432. He meant his children to be all equal.

1878.  Jevons, Prim. Pol. Econ., 56. All men are born free and equal.

  b.  Music. Equal voices: voices either all male or all female.

  † c.  Equivalent: serving the same purpose. Const. as, with. Obs. rare.

1677.  Yarranton, Eng. Improv., 10. Paper in Holland is equal with Moneys in England. Ibid., 13. A Ticket upon such Lands given to the Merchant would be equal to him as ready money.

  3.  Adequate or fit in quantity or degree. Now only const. to; formerly also simply.

1647.  Clarendon, Hist. Reb., VIII. (1707), II. II. 477 (J.). The Scots not then trusting their own great Numbers, as equal to Fight with the English.

1700.  Dryden, Fables, Ded. To make my commendations equal to your merit.

1719.  Watts, Hymns, I. lxiii. What equal Honours shall we bring To Thee, O Lord.

1791.  J. Hampson, Mem. J. Wesley, II. 28–9. Of the conduct of the magistrates who encouraged these enormities, 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.

1697.  Dryden, Virg. Georg., II. 304/80. The Soil … Is … equal to the Pasture and the Plough.

1769.  Junius Lett., iii. 15. The part you have undertaken is at least as much as you are equal to.

1796.  Jane Austen, Pride & Prej., vii. She was not equal, however, to much conversation.

1816.  Remarks Eng. Mann., 20. He did not feel equal to receiving the congratulations of the company.

1827.  Southey, Hist. Penins. War, II. 124. They were not equal to contend with disciplined troops.

1872.  Liddon, Elem. Relig., i. 4. Schemes of independent morality … are not equal to resisting the impetuosities of passion.

1878.  Bosw. Smith, Carthage, 163. Gescon was equal to the emergency.

  4.  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 5).

1661.  Morgan, Sph. Gentry, I. i. 4. Consisting of the equallest mixture or temper of the four elements.

1676.  H. Phillips, Purch. Patt., A v b. Though this way of valuing the ground be as equal and general a rule as can be; yet [etc.].

1696.  Whiston, Th. Earth, I. 36. The equaller Division of the Year allow’d for.

1781.  Gibbon, Decl. & F., II. xxxiii. 251. The army dreaded his equal and inexorable justice.

1836.  Gen. P. Thompson, Exerc. (1842), IV. 80. If the Irish were refused equal laws, they would demand the dissolution of the Union.

1840.  Gladstone, Ch. Princ., 187. The Church contemplates with equal eye the whole of God’s ordinances.

  b.  Of a contest: Evenly balanced.

1653.  Holcroft, Procopius, I. 22. Two thirds of the day were past, and the fight yet equall.

  † c.  phr. It is equal to me (whether): = ‘it makes no difference,’ ‘it is all the same.’ Obs. Cf. Fr. c’est égal, Ger. es ist mir gleich.

1715.  Cheyne, Philos. Princ. Relig., II. Pref. A 4 (J.). They may let them alone or reject them, it is equal to me.

1746.  Col. Rec. Pennsylv., V. 57. The Governor said it was equal to him when they adjourn’d.

1749.  Chesterf., Lett., cxcvi. (1792), II. 237. Whether along the coast of the Adriatic, or that of the Mediterranean, it is equal to me.

1769.  Goldsm., Rom. Hist. (1786), II. 260. It was equal to himn whether he fell by his enemies in the field, or by his creditors in the city.

  † 5.  In sense of L. æquus: Fair, equitable, just, impartial. Obs.

1535.  Stewart, Cron. Scot., II. 503. Equale in justice but partialitie.

1545.  Leland, in Strype, Eccl. Mem., I. App. cxviii. 332. My great Labours … have … profyted the studyous, gentyl, & equal Reders.

1592.  Greene, Groatsw. Wit (1617), 42. Equal heauen hath denied that comfort.

1641.  ‘Smectymnuus,’ Answ., § 5 (1653), 22. This had been no more rationall or equall then the former.

1656.  Bramhall, Replic., iv. 188. Is it equall that the Court of Rome themselves should be the Judges?

1681.  Relig. Clerici, To Rdr. i. To the Equal Reader.

1769.  Robertson, Chas. V., III. XI. 354. Proposals of peace which were equal and moderate.

  6.  Of surfaces: Level, on the same level (arch.). † Equal to: level with.

a. 1649.  Drumm. of Hawth., Jas. V., Wks. 116. The most part of the church was made equal to the ground.

1715.  Leoni, Palladio’s Archit. (1742), I. 27. All the Rooms … of the same Story, may have their Floor or Pavement equal.

1850.  Mrs. Browning, Poems, I. 156. The equal plains of fruitful Sicily.

  † 7.  Uniform throughout in appearance, dimensions or properties. Obs.

1663.  Gerbier, Counsel, 50. A rooff covered with them is of an equall colour.

1686.  Aglionby, Painting Illustr., 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. H[ale], Acc. New Invent., 98. A Sheet of their full length equal within one pound in ten quite through.

1726.  Leoni, Alberti’s Archit., II. 18 a. Large Stones, sound, equal, handsome and rare.

1793.  Smeaton, Edystone L., § 246. That the building should be a column of equal strength, proportionate in every part to the stress it was likely to bear.

  b.  Bot. Symmetrical, having both sides alike.

1876.  Balfour, in Encycl. Brit., IV. 1110. When the parenchyma is developed symmetrically on each side of the mid-rib 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 1.)

1626.  Bacon, Sylva (1677), § 392. Try them by boiling upon an equal fire.

1691.  Ray, Creation, I. (1704), 71. These Revolutions … are as exactly equal and uniform as the Earth’s are.

1761.  Earl Pembroke, Mil. Equitation (1778), 63. Even or equal trot.

1821.  Shelley, Prometh. Unb., III. iv. 88. Thy chaste sister Who guides the frozen and inconstant moon Will look on thy more warm and equal light.

  9.  Of the mind, temper, demeanor, tone of voice: Even, tranquil, undisturbed, unruffled. arch.

1680.  Otway, Orphan, II. vii. 759. Who can hear this and bear an equal mind?

1693.  Dryden, Juvenal, X. 81/194 (J.).

1781.  Gibbon, Decl. & F., III. 9. He proceeded, in a firm and equal tone, to offer Theodosius the alternative of peace, or war.

1821.  Scott, Kenilw., xxii. He addressed him in a tone tolerably equal.

1832.  Tennyson, Lotos-Eaters, 153. Let us swear an oath, and keep it with an equal mind.

  † 10.  Of numbers: Even. Obs. rare. Cf. L. par.

1806.  G. Gregory, Dict. Arts & Sc., s.v. Bridge, The piers of stone bridges should be equal in number, that there may be one arch in the middle.

  † 11.  quasi-adv. Equally. Obs.

1613.  Shaks., Hen. VIII., I. i. 159. He is equall rau’nous As he is subtile.

1623.  Massinger, Dk. Milan, II. i. F j b. Thou art A thing, that equall with the Deuill himselfe, I doe detest, and scorne.

1633.  P. Fletcher, Purple Isl., IV. xv. 41. Therefore obtain’d an equall distant seat.

1659.  Dryden, Cromwell, v. Where all the parts so equal-perfect are.

  12.  Comb. a. parasynthetic derivatives, as equal-armed, -blooded, -eyed, -headed, -limbed, -sided, -souled. Also equal-handedness. b. adverbial, as equal-balanced, -poised, -suited.

1833.  J. Holland, Manuf. Metal, II. 286. The *equal-armed balance, so commonly seen in this country.

1881.  Athenæum, 23 April, 567/1. At the top is an equal-armed cross.

1678.  Norris, Coll. Misc. (1699), 312. If the Good and the Evil be *equal-ballanc’d.

1764.  Churchill, Ep. Hogarth, Poems II. 135. Thou *equal-blooded judge.

1876.  Swinburne, Erechtheus (ed. 2), 677. Toward good and ill, then, *equal-eyed of soul.

1830.  Gen. P. Thompson, Exerc. (1842), I. 280. A government of so much benevolence and *equal-handedness.

1889.  G. Findlay, Eng. Railway, 42. In 1837 the double and *equal-headed reversible rail was originated by Joseph Locke.

1855.  Milman, Lat. Chr. (1864), IX. XIV. viii. 278. The short *equal-limbed Greek cross.

1635.  Swan, Spec. M. (1670), 170. The rising and falling of an *equal-poised balance.

1850.  Tennyson, In Mem., lxxxv. O friendship, equal-poised control.

1807.  T. Thomson, Chem. (ed. 3), II. 571. Four-sided prisms, terminated by *equal-sided pyramids.

1876.  Swinburne, Erechtheus (ed. 2), 676. Nor thine nor mine, but *equal-souled are they.

1590.  Greene, Orl. Fur., Wks. (1861), 102. The lilies and the native rose Sit *equal-suited with a blushing red.

  B.  sb.

  1.  One who is equal to another:

  a.  in rank or standing.

1573.  G. Harvey, Letter-bk. (Camden Soc.), 4. M. Nevil hath shown himself disdainful towards his æquals and superiors too.

1599.  Shaks., Much Ado, II. i. 171. She is no equall for his birth.

1614.  John Day, Festivals (1615), 322. First, that they match with their Equals as neere as may be, both in Condition or State of Life, as also in Yeers.

a. 1640.  Earl Stirling, Jonathan (R.). You (though subjects) may my equals make.

1754.  Chatham, Lett. Nephew, v. 38. Towards equals, nothing becomes a man so well as well-bred ease.

1844.  H. H. Wilson, Brit. India, II. 468. The Governor-General, whom, as exercising a delegated authority only, he refused to recognise as the equal of a king.

1876.  Mozley, Univ. Serm., ix. 220–1. Humility is much more tried by equals than it is by inferiors.

  b.  in power or achievement, or in any specified quality; a ‘match.’

1607.  Shaks., Cor., I. i. 257. Sicin. Was euer man so proud as is this Martius? Bru. He has no equall.

1667.  Milton, P. L., VI. 248. Satan … Prodigious power had shewn, and met in Armes No equal.

1792.  Anecd. W. Pitt, IV. App. 270. A minister who never had his equal … for wisdom and integrity.

1875.  Fortnum, Maiolica, iv. 43. Passeri states that Orazio had no equal in the execution of his paintings.

  † c.  in age: (a.) One who has lived as long; (b.) A contemporary. Cf. L. æquālis. Obs.

1596.  Harington, Metam. Ajax (1814), 110. That I may now deal with my equals, and not with my ancients.

1611.  Bible, Gal. i. 14. And profited in the Iewes Religion, aboue many my equals in mine owne nation.

1678.  Cudworth, Intell. Syst., I. iv. 443. A Sophist Plutarch’s equal.

  2.  abstr. An equal: a state of equality; an equal footing. Obs. exc. dial.

1596.  Spenser, F. Q., V. ii. 34. Thou that presum’st to weigh the world anew, And all things to an equall to restore.

Mod. (Derbysh.) He talks to me as if we were on an equal.