equivalence

[ih-kwiv-uh-luh ns or for 3, ee-kwuh-vey-luh ns]

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noun Also equivalency (for defs 1, 2).

the state or fact of being equivalent; equality in value, force, significance, etc.

an instance of this; an equivalent.

Chemistry. the quality of having equal valence.

Logic, Mathematics.

Also called material implication.the relation between two propositions such that the second is not false when the first is true.
Also called material equivalence.the relation between two propositions such that they are either both true or both false.
the relation between two propositions such that each logically implies the other.

adjective

(of a logical or mathematical relationship) reflexive, symmetrical, and transitive.

Origin of equivalence

1535–45; < Middle French < Medieval Latin aequivalentia, equivalent to Latin aequivalent- equivalent + -ia -ia; see -ence

Related formsnon·e·quiv·a·lence, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for equivalence

correspondence, par, likeness, parity, synonym, agreement, compatibility, evenness, correlation, equality, match, conformity, parallel, identity, interchangeability, synonymy

Examples from the Web for equivalence

Contemporary Examples of equivalence

He was trying, I think, to demonstrate balance and equivalence.
Memo to Cops: Criticisms Aren’t Attacks
Michael Tomasky
December 28, 2014
The equivalence between comic books and Scripture is telling of how seriously canon is taken by these fans.
DC Comics’ Diversity Crisis: Why the Status Quo Rules
Liz Watson
July 20, 2014
The experiment found that the type of atom made no difference to the outcome, perfectly in line with the equivalence principle.
The Equivalence Principle and Testing Einstein With Spaceships and Atoms
Matthew R. Francis
June 4, 2014

Historical Examples of equivalence

Then the expression of equivalence of A and B remains unchanged.
A Contribution to The Critique Of The Political Economy
Karl Marx
He satisfies himself as to the equivalence of the servicesthat is all.
Harmonies of Political Economy
Frdric Bastiat
If we had the means of measurement we could prove the equivalence from step to step.
Life Everlasting
John Fiske
There is no law of equivalence, of conservation of energy, in social forces.
Social Value
B. M. Anderson
By 1709 these species had sunk in equivalence to 12 livres 15 sols.
The History of Currency, 1252 to 1896
William Arthur Shaw

British Dictionary definitions for equivalence

equivalence

equivalency

noun

the state of being equivalent or interchangeable

maths logic

the relationship between two statements, each of which implies the other
Also called: biconditionalthe binary truth-function that takes the value true when both component sentences are true or when both are false, corresponding to English if and only if . Symbol: ≡ or ↔, as in –(p ∧ q) ≡ – p ∨ – q

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for equivalence

1540s, from French équivalence, from Medieval Latin aequivalentia, from aequivalentem (see equivalent). Related: Equivalency (1530s).