the.com/equivalent
Equal in value, not identity — same weight, different shape.
means Having the same value, function, or effect as something else, even though it may look or be structured differently.
from From Late Latin 'aequivalens,' combining 'aequi-' (equal) and 'valens' (being strong or worth), the present participle of 'valere,' to be strong or have worth — the same root that gives us 'value' and 'valiant.' So an equivalent thing is, quite literally, one that carries equal weight or worth, even if it isn't the same thing at all.
- math use
- Same truth value, not same wording
- chemistry use
- Amount that reacts exactly, no leftovers
- common trap
- People use it to mean identical, wrongly
- etymology
- Latin aequivalere, literally to be worth equally