Forms: 4–5 evenhede, 5 evenhode, evynhede, -hoode. [OE. *efenhád (cf. efenháda bisceop co-bishop), f. efen EVEN a. + hád rank: see -HEAD, -HOOD.]
1. Equality; position of equality; equal dignity or rank.
a. 1340. Hampole, Psalter xviii. 7. He stegh in til heuen til þe euenhede and ioy of his fadere.
c. 1440. Hylton, Scala Perf. (W. de W., 1494), II. xxviii. He shal areyse hem aboue al other chosen soules to the euenhede of cherubyn & seraphyn.
1483. Cath. Angl., 118. An Evyn-hede, equalitas.
b. concr. One who is of equal rank; also something equivalent.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 253. Sir Edward … suilk on wild he take His euenhed in mariage.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Serm., Sel. Wks. II. 361. Þes þree vertues … ben evenhed to Goddis witt.
1570. Levins, Manip., 206. Euénheads, coæquales.
2. a. Impartiality, fairness, equity. b. Equilibrium, well-balanced state (of mind).
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 37. Boþe riche & pouere he ȝemed in euenhede.
a. 1340. Hampole, Psalter ix. 8. He sall deme þe world of þe erth in euenhed.
a. 1400. Relig. Pieces fr. Thornton MS., 11. Þat kepes vs fra owterage and haldes vs in evenhede [printed everhede].
c. 1400. Test. Love, III. (1560), 293/2. By evenhede profitably to rayne.
1496. Dives & Paup. (W. de W.), II. xviii. 130/2. Equyte … ne euenhode in shyftynge and in demynge myght not entre.
