equal

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. adj. Having the same quantity, measure, or value as another.
2. adj. Mathematics Being the same or identical to in value.
3. adj. Having the same privileges, status, or rights: equal before the law.
4. adj. Being the same for all members of a group: gave every player an equal chance to win.
5. adj. Having the requisite qualities, such as strength or ability, for a task or situation: "Elizabeth found herself quite equal to the scene” ( Jane Austen).
6. adj. Adequate in extent, amount, or degree.
7. adj. Impartial; just; equitable.
8. adj. Tranquil; equable.
9. adj. Showing or having no variance in proportion, structure, or appearance.
10. n. One that is equal to another: These two models are equals in computing power.
11. v. To be equal to, especially in value.
12. v. To do, make, or produce something equal to: equaled the world record in the mile run.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. Having one measure; the same in magnitude, quantity, degree, amount, worth, value, or excellence. Thus, two collections of objects are equal in number when the operation of counting, applied to the two, ends with the same number; two lengths are equal when either will cover the other; two stars appear of equal brightness when the eye can detect no difference between them in this respect. Quantities of two or more dimensions are equal only when they are equal in each dimension separately. Thus, two vectors are not necessarily equal because they are equal in length; it is necessary that they should also be parallel. It is therefore preferable not to speak of two forces (or anything else capable of representation by vectors) as equal, unless they are parallel. Nevertheless, the prevalent mathematical usage is, or has been until recently, to call two such things equal when their tensors or moduli are equal. On the other hand, common usage presents an opposite inconsistency in refusing to call geometrical figures (particularly triangles) equal unless they can be superposed. Euclid and some modern geometers make it an axiom that figures which can be superposed are equal; but others define equal figures as such as can be superposed.
2. Even; uniform; not variable; equable: as, an equal mind.
3. Having a just relation or proportion; correspondent; commensurate.
4. Impartial; not biased; just; equitable; not unduly favorable to any party: as, the terms and conditions of the contract are equal; equal laws.
5. Of the same interest or concern; of like moment or importance.
6. Adequate; having competent power, ability, or means: with to: as, the army was not equal to the contest; we are not equal to the undertaking.
7. Of the same rank or dignity; having a common level or standing; having the same rights, interests, etc.: as, we are all equal in the sight of God.
8. In botany, symmetrical, as applied to leaves and to various organs of cryptogams; of uniform thickness, as the stipe of an agaric.
9. In entomology, same as equate.
10. Synonyms Equable, regular, unvarying.
11. Proportionate, conformable, equivalent.
12. Fair, even-handed.
13. Fit, competent.
14. n. One who or that which is not different in all or some respects from another; specifically, one who is not inferior or superior to another; a person having the same or a similar age, rank, station, office, talents, strength, etc.
15. n. The state of being equal; equality.
16. Equally; in a manner equal (to).
17. To be or become equal to; be commensurate with; be as great as; correspond to or be on a level with in any respect; be adequate to: as, your share equals mine; no other dramatist equals Shakspere.
18. To make equivalent to; recompense fully; answer in full proportion.
19. To count or consider as equal; make comparable.
20. To be equal; match.

Wiktionary

1. adj. not comparable The same in all respects.
2. adj. mathematics, not comparable Exactly identical, having the same value.
3. adj. obsolete Fair, impartial.
4. adj. comparable Adequate; sufficiently capable or qualified.
5. v. mathematics To be equal to, to have the same value as; to correspond to.
6. v. To be equivalent to; to match
7. v. informal To have as its consequence.
8. n. A person or thing of equal status to others.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. adj. Agreeing in quantity, size, quality, degree, value, etc.; having the same magnitude, the same value, the same degree, etc.; -- applied to number, degree, quantity, and intensity, and to any subject which admits of them; neither inferior nor superior, greater nor less, better nor worse; corresponding; alike; ; houses of equal size; persons of equal stature or talents; commodities of equal value.
2. adj. Bearing a suitable relation; of just proportion; having competent power, abilities, or means; adequate.
3. adj. Not variable; equable; uniform; even.
4. adj. Evenly balanced; not unduly inclining to either side; characterized by fairness; unbiased; impartial; equitable; just.
5. adj. Of the same interest or concern; indifferent.
6. adj. (Mus.), rare Intended for voices of one kind only, either all male or all female; -- opposed to mixed.
7. adj. (Math.) Exactly agreeing with respect to quantity.
8. n. One not inferior or superior to another; one having the same or a similar age, rank, station, office, talents, strength, or other quality or condition; an equal quantity or number.”
9. n. obsolete State of being equal; equality.
10. v. To be or become equal to; to have the same quantity, the same value, the same degree or rank, or the like, with; to be commen�urate with.
11. v. To make equal return to; to recompense fully.
12. v. To make equal or equal to; to equalize; hence, to compare or regard as equals; to put on equality.

WordNet 3.0

1. v. be identical or equivalent to
2. n. a person who is of equal standing with another in a group
3. v. be equal to in quality or ability
4. adj. having the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task
5. v. make equal, uniform, corresponding, or matching
6. adj. having the same quantity, value, or measure as another