Chapter 533

1. 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; as, equal quantities of land, water, etc. ; houses of equal size; persons of equal stature or talents; commodities of equal value.

2. Bearing a suitable relation; of just proportion; having competent power, abilities, or means; adequate; as, he is not equal to the task .

The Scots trusted not their own numbers as equal to fight with the English. Clarendon.

It is not permitted to me to make my commendations equal to your merit. Dryden.

Whose voice an equal messenger Conveyed thy meaning mild. Emerson.

3. Not variable; equable; uniform; even; as, an equal movement . "An equal temper."

Dryden.

4. Evenly balanced; not unduly inclining to either side; characterized by fairness; unbiased; impartial; equitable; just.

Are not my ways equal ? Ezek. xviii. 29.

Thee, O Jove, no equal judge I deem. Spenser.

Nor think it equal to answer deliberate reason with sudden heat and noise. Milton.

5. Of the same interest or concern; indifferent.

They who are not disposed to receive them may let them alone or reject them; it is equal to me. Cheyne.

6. (Mus.) Intended for voices of one kind only, either all male or all female; -- opposed to mixed . [R.]

7. (Math.) Exactly agreeing with respect to quantity.

Equal temperament . (Mus.) See Temperament .

Syn. -- Even; equable; uniform; adequate; proportionate; commensurate; fair; just; equitable.

Equal <Xpage=504>

E"qual , n.

1. 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; as, "If equals be taken from equals the remainders are equal ."

Those who were once his equals envy and defame him. Addison.

2. State of being equal; equality. [Obs.]

Spenser.

Equal <Xpage=504>

E"qual , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Equaled (?) or Equalled ; p. pr. & vb. n. Equaling or Equalling .]

1. 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.

On me whose all not equals Edward's moiety. Shak.

2. To make equal return to; to recompense fully.

Who answered all her cares, and equaled all her love. Dryden.

3. To make equal or equal to; to equalize; hence, to compare or regard as equals; to put on equality.

He would not equal the mind that he found in himself to the infinite and incomprehensible. Berkeley.

Equalitarian <Xpage=504>

E*qual`i*ta"ri*an (?) , n. One who believes in equalizing the condition of men; a leveler.

Equality <Xpage=504>

E*qual"i*ty (?) , n. ; pl. Equalities (#) . [L. aequalitas , fr. aequalis equal. See Equal .]

1. The condition or quality of being equal; agreement in quantity or degree as compared; likeness in bulk, value, rank, properties, etc.; as, the equality of two bodies in length or thickness; an equality of rights.

A footing of equality with nobles. Macaulay.

2. Sameness in state or continued course; evenness; uniformity; as, an equality of temper or constitution .

3. Evenness; uniformity; as, an equality of surface .

4. (Math.) Exact agreement between two expressions or magnitudes with respect to quantity; -- denoted by the symbol =; thus, a = x signifies that a contains the same number and kind of units of measure that x does.

Confessional equality . See under Confessional .

Equalization <Xpage=504>

E`qual*i*za"tion (?) , n. The act of equalizing, or state of being equalized.

Their equalization with the rest of their fellow subjects. Burke.

Equalize <Xpage=504>

E"qual*ize (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Equalized (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Equalizing (?) .] [Cf. F. \'82galiser .]

1. To make equal; to cause to correspond, or be like, in amount or degree as compared; as, to equalize accounts, burdens, or taxes .

One poor moment can suffice To equalize the lofty and the low. Wordsworth.

No system of instruction will completely equalize natural powers. Whately.

2. To pronounce equal; to compare as equal.

Which we equalize , and perhaps would willingly prefer to the Iliad. Orrery.

3. To be equal to; equal; to match. [Obs.]

It could not equalize the hundredth part Of what her eyes have kindled in my heart. Waller.

Equalizing bar (Railroad Mach.) , a lever connecting two axle boxes, or two springs in a car truck or locomotive, to equalize the pressure on the axles.

Equalizer <Xpage=504>

E"qual*i`zer (?) , n. One who, or that which, equalizes anything.

Equally <Xpage=504>

E"qual*ly , adv. In an equal manner or degree in equal shares or proportion; with equal and impartial justice; without difference; alike; evenly; justly; as, equally taxed, furnished, etc.

Equalness <Xpage=504>

E"qual*ness , n. Equality; evenness.

Shak.

Equangular <Xpage=504>

E*quan"gu*lar (?) , a. [See Equiangular .] Having equal angles; equiangular. [R.]

Johnson.

Equanimity <Xpage=504>

E`qua*nim"i*ty (?) , n. [L. aequanimitas , fr. aequanimus : cf. F. \'82quanimit\'82 . See Equanimous .] Evenness of mind; that calm temper or firmness of mind which is not easily elated or depressed; patience; calmness; composure; as, to bear misfortunes with equanimity .

Equanimous <Xpage=504>

E*quan"i*mous (?) , a. [L. aequanimus , fr. aequus equal + animus mind.] Of an even, composed frame of mind; of a steady temper; not easily elated or depressed.

Bp. Gauden.

Equant <Xpage=504>

E"quant (?) , n. [L. aequans , -antis , p. pr. of aequare : cf. F. \'82quant . See Equate .] (Ptolemaic Astron.) A circle around whose circumference a planet or the center of ann epicycle was conceived to move uniformly; -- called also eccentric equator .

Equate <Xpage=504>

E*quate" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Equated ; p. pr. & vb. n. Equating .] [L. aequatus , p. p. of aequare to make level or equal, fr. aequus level, equal. See Equal .] To make equal; to reduce to an average; to make such an allowance or correction in as will reduce to a common standard of comparison; to reduce to mean time or motion; as, to equate payments; to equate lines of railroad for grades or curves; equated distances.

Palgrave gives both scrolle and scrowe and equates both to F[rench] rolle. Skeat (Etymol. Dict. ).

Equating for grades (Railroad Engin.) , adding to the measured distance one mile for each twenty feet of ascent. -- Equating for curves , adding half a mile for each 360 degrees of curvature.

Equation <Xpage=504>

E*qua"tion (?) , n. [L. aequatio an equalizing: cf. F. \'82quation equation. See Equate .]

1. A making equal; equal division; equality; equilibrium.

Again the golden day resumed its right, And ruled in just equation with the night. Rowe.

2. (Math.) An expression of the condition of equality between two algebraic quantities or sets of quantities, the sign = being placed between them; as, a binomial equation ; a quadratic equation ; an algebraic equation ; a transcendental equation ; an exponential equation ; a logarithmic equation ; a differential equation , etc.

3. (Astron.) A quantity to be applied in computing the mean place or other element of a celestial body; that is, any one of the several quantities to be added to, or taken from, its position as calculated on the hypothesis of a mean uniform motion, in order to find its true position as resulting from its actual and unequal motion.

Absolute equation . See under Absolute . -- Equation box , &or; Equational box , a system of differential gearing used in spinning machines for regulating the twist of the yarn. It resembles gearing used in equation clocks for showing apparent time. -- Equation of the center (Astron.) , the difference between the place of a planet as supposed to move uniformly in a circle, and its place as moving in an ellipse. -- Equations of condition (Math.) , equations formed for deducing the true values of certain quantities from others on which they depend, when different sets of the latter, as given by observation, would yield different values of the quantities sought, and the number of equations that may be found is greater than the number of unknown quantities. -- Equation of a curve (Math.) , an equation which expresses the relation between the co\'94rdinates of every point in the curve. -- Equation of equinoxes (Astron.) , the difference between the mean and apparent places of the equinox. -- Equation of payments (Arith.) , the process of finding the mean time of payment of several sums due at different times. -- Equation of time (Astron.) , the difference between mean and apparent time, or between the time of day indicated by the sun, and that by a perfect clock going uniformly all the year round. -- Equation clock &or; watch , a timepiece made to exhibit the differences between mean solar and apparent solar time. Knight . -- Normal equation . See under Normal . -- Personal equation (Astron.) , the difference between an observed result and the true qualities or peculiarities in the observer; particularly the difference, in an average of a large number of observation, between the instant when an observer notes a phenomenon, as the transit of a star, and the assumed instant of its actual occurrence; or, relatively, the difference between these instants as noted by two observers. It is usually only a fraction of a second; -- sometimes applied loosely to differences of judgment or method occasioned by temperamental qualities of individuals. -- Theory of equations (Math.) , the branch of algebra that treats of the properties of a single algebraic equation of any degree containing one unknown quantity.

Equator <Xpage=504>

E*qua"tor (?) , n. [L. aequator one who equalizes: cf. F. \'82quateur equator. See Equate .]

1. (Geog.) The imaginary great circle on the earth's surface, everywhere equally distant from the two poles, and dividing the earth's surface into two hemispheres.

2. (Astron.) The great circle of the celestial sphere, coincident with the plane of the earth's equator; -- so called because when the sun is in it, the days and nights are of equal length; hence called also the equinoctial , and on maps, globes, etc., the equinoctial line .

Equator of the sun &or; of a planet (Astron.) , the great circle whose plane passes through through the center of the body, and is perpendicular to its axis of revolution. -- Magnetic equator . See Aclinic .

Equatorial <Xpage=504>

E`qua*to"ri*al (?) , a. [Cf. F. \'82quatorial .] Of or pertaining to the equator; as, equatorial climates ; also, pertaining to an equatorial instrument.

Equatorial <Xpage=504>

E`qua*to"ri*al , n. (Astron.) An instrument consisting of a telescope so mounted as to have two axes of motion at right angles to each other, one of them parallel to the axis of the earth, and each carrying a graduated circle, the one for measuring declination, and the other right ascension, or the hour angle, so that the telescope may be directed, even in the daytime, to any star or other object whose right ascension and declination are known. The motion in right ascension is sometimes communicated by clockwork, so as to keep the object constantly in the field of the telescope. Called also an equatorial telescope .

&hand; The term equatorial , or equatorial instrument , is sometimes applied to any astronomical instrument which has its principal axis of rotation parallel to the axis of the earth. <-- contrasted with altazimuthal movement of a telescope. -->

Equatorially <Xpage=504>

E`qua*to"ri*al*ly , adv. So as to have motion or direction parallel to the equator.

Equerry <Xpage=504>

Eq"uer*ry (?; 277) , n. ; pl. Equerries (#) . [F. \'82curie stable, for older escurie , escuirie (confused somewhat with F. \'82cuyer , OF. escuyer , squire), LL. scuria , OHG. skiura , sc<?/ra , barn, shed, G. scheuer , from a root meaning to cover , protect , and akin to L. scutum shield. See Esquire , and cf. Ecurie , Querry .]

1. A large stable or lodge for horses.

Johnson.

2. An officer of princes or nobles, charged with the care of their horses.

&hand; In England equerries are officers of the royal household in the department of the Master of the Horse.

Equery <Xpage=504>

Eq"ue*ry (?) , n. Same as Equerry .

Equestrian <Xpage=504>

E*ques"tri*an (?) , a. [L. equester , from eques horseman, fr. equus horse: cf. F. \'82questre . See Equine .]

1. Of or pertaining to horses or horsemen, or to horsemanship; as, equestrian feats, or games .

2. Being or riding on horseback; mounted; as, an equestrian statue .

An equestrian lady appeared upon the plains. Spectator.

3. Belonging to, or composed of, the ancient Roman equities or knights; as, the equestrian order .

Burke.

Equestrian <Xpage=504>

E*ques"tri*an , n. One who rides on horseback; a horseman; a rider.

Equestrianism <Xpage=504>

E*ques"tri*an*ism (?) , n. The art of riding on horseback; performance on horseback; horsemanship; as, feats equestrianism .

Equestrienne <Xpage=504>

E*ques"tri*enne` (?) , n. [Formed after analogy of the French language.] A woman skilled in equestrianism; a horsewoman.

Equi- <Xpage=504>

E"qui- (?) . [L. aequus equal. See Equal .] A prefix, meaning equally ; as, equi distant; equi angular.

Equiangled <Xpage=504>

E"qui*an`gled (?) , a. [ Equi- + angle .] Equiangular. [Obs.]

Boyle.

Equiangular <Xpage=504>

E`qui*an"gu*lar (?) , a. [ Equi- + angular . Cf. Equangular .] Having equal angles; as, an equiangular figure; a square is equiangular .

Equiangular spiral . (Math.) See under Spiral , n. -- Mutually equiangular , applied to two figures, when every angle of the one has its equal among the angles of the other.

Equibalance <Xpage=504>

E`qui*bal"ance (?) , n. [ Equi- + balance .] Equal weight; equiponderance.

Equibalance <Xpage=504>

E`qui*bal"ance , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Equibalanced (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Equibalancing (?) .] To make of equal weight; to balance equally; to counterbalance; to equiponderate.

Equicrescent <Xpage=504>

E`qui*cres"cent (?) , a. [ Equi- + crescent .] (Math.) Increasing by equal increments; as, an equicrescent variable .

Equicrural <Xpage=504>

E`qui*cru"ral (?) , a. [L. aequicrurius ; aequus equal + crus , cruris , leg.] Having equal legs or sides; isosceles. [R.] " Equicrural triangles."

Sir T. Browne.

Equicrure <Xpage=504>

E"qui*crure (?) , a. Equicrural. [Obs.]

Equidifferent <Xpage=504>

E`qui*dif"fer*ent (?) , a. [ Equi- + different : cf. F. \'82quidiff\'82rent .] Having equal differences; as, the terms of arithmetical progression are equidifferent .

Equidistance <Xpage=504>

E`qui*dis"tance (?) , n. Equal distance.

Equidistant <Xpage=504>

E`qui*dis"tant (?) , a. [L. aequidistans , -antis ; aequus equal + distans distant: cf. F. \'82quidistant .] Being at an equal distance from the same point or thing. -- E`qui*dis"tant*ly , adv.

Sir T. Browne.

Equidiurnal <Xpage=504>

E`qui*di*ur"nal (?) , a. [ Equi- + diurnal .] Pertaining to the time of equal day and night; -- applied to the equinoctial line.

Whewell.

Equiform <Xpage=504>

E"qui*form (?) , a. [L. aequiformis ; aequus equal + forma form.] Having the same form; uniform. -- E`qui*for"mi*ty (#) , n.

Sir T. Browne.

Equilateral <Xpage=504>

E`qui*lat"er*al (?) , a. [L. aequilateralis ; aequus equal + latus , lateris , side: cf. F. \'82quilat\'82ral .] Having all the sides equal; as, an equilateral triangle; an equilateral polygon.

Equilateral hyperbola (Geom.) , one whose axes are equal. -- Equilateral shell (Zo\'94l.) , one in which a transverse line drawn through the apex of the umbo bisects the valve, or divides it into two equal and symmetrical parts. -- Mutually equilateral , applied to two figures, when every side of the one has its equal among the sides of the other.

Equilateral <Xpage=504>

E`qui*lat"er*al , n. A side exactly corresponding, or equal, to others; also, a figure of equal sides.

Equilibrate <Xpage=504>

E`qui*li"brate (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Equilibrated (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Equilibrating (?) .] [L. aequilibratus in equilibrium; aequus equal + libra balance. See Equilibrium .] To balance two scales, sides, or ends; to keep even with equal weight on each side; to keep in equipoise.

H. Spenser.

\'3c-- p. 505 --\'3e

Equilibration <Xpage=504>

E`qui*li*bra"tion (?) , n.

1. Act of keeping a balance, or state of being balanced; equipoise.

In . . . running, leaping, and dancing, nature's laws of equilibration are observed. J. Denham.

2. (Biol.) The process by which animal and vegetable organisms preserve a physiological balance.

H. Spenser.

Equilibrious <Xpage=504>

E`qui*lib"ri*ous (?) , a. Evenly poised; balanced. Dr. H. More . -- E`qui*lib"ri*ous*ly , adv.

Equilibrist <Xpage=504>

E*quil"i*brist (?) , n. One who balances himself in unnatural positions and hazardous movements; a balancer.

When the equilibrist balances a rod upon his finger. Stewart.

Equilibrity <Xpage=504>