equivalence
[ih-kwiv-uh-luh ns or for 3, ee-kwuh-vey-luh ns]
- 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.
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- (of a logical or mathematical relationship) reflexive, symmetrical, and transitive.
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Origin of equivalence
1535–45; < Middle French < Medieval Latin aequivalentia, equivalent to Latin aequivalent- equivalent + -ia -ia; see -ence
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for equivalence
Contemporary Examples
He was trying, I think, to demonstrate balance and equivalence.
The equivalence between comic books and Scripture is telling of how seriously canon is taken by these fans.
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 AtomsMatthew R. Francis
June 4, 2014
Historical Examples
Then the expression of equivalence of A and B remains unchanged.
He satisfies himself as to the equivalence of the servicesthat is all.
Harmonies of Political EconomyFrdric Bastiat
If we had the means of measurement we could prove the equivalence from step to step.
Life EverlastingJohn Fiske
There is no law of equivalence, of conservation of energy, in social forces.
Social ValueB. M. Anderson
By 1709 these species had sunk in equivalence to 12 livres 15 sols.
The History of Currency, 1252 to 1896William Arthur Shaw
equivalence
equivalency
- 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
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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
n.
1540s, from French équivalence, from Medieval Latin aequivalentia, from aequivalentem (see equivalent). Related: Equivalency (1530s).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper