E*quiv"a*lent , v. t. To make the equivalent to; to equal; equivalence. [R.]
E*quiv"a*lent (?), n.
1. Something equivalent; that which is equal in value, worth, weight, or force; as, to
offer an equivalent for damage done.
He owned that, if the Test Act were repealed, the Protestants were entitled to some equivalent. . . . During some weeks the word equivalent, then lately imported from France, was in the
mouths of all the coffeehouse
orators.
Macaulay. 2.
(Chem.) That comparative quantity by weight of
an element which possesses the same chemical value as other elements, as determined by actual experiment and reference to the same standard. Specifically: (a) The comparative proportions by which one element replaces another in any particular compound; thus, as zinc
replaces hydrogen in hydrochloric acid, their equivalents are 32.5
and 1. (b)
The combining proportion by weight of a substance, or the number expressing this proportion, in any particular compound; as, the equivalents of hydrogen and oxygen in
water are respectively 1 and 8, and in hydric
dioxide 1 and 16.
&fist; This term was adopted by Wollaston to avoid using the conjectural expression atomic weight, with which, however, for a time it was practically synonymous. The attempt to limit the term to the meaning of a
universally comparative combining weight failed, because of the possibility of several compounds of the substances by reason of the
variation in combining power which most elements exhibit. The equivalent was really identical with, or a multiple
of submultiple of, the atomic weight.
3. (Chem.) A combining unit, whether an atom, a radical, or a
molecule; as, in acid salt
two or more
equivalents of acid unite with one or more
equivalents of base.
Mechanical equivalent
of heat (Physics), the number of units of work which
the unit of
heat can perform; the mechanical energy which must be
expended to raise the temperature of a unit weight of water from 0° C. to 1° C., or from 32° F. to 33° F. The term was
introduced by Dr. Mayer of
Heilbronn. Its value was found by
Joule to be
1390 foot pounds upon the Centigrade, or 772 foot pounds upon the Fahrenheit, thermometric scale, whence it is
often called Joule's equivalent, and represented by the symbol J.
This is equal to 424 kilogram meters (Centigrade scale). A more recent
determination by Professor Rowland gives the value 426.9 kilogram meters, for the latitude of Baltimore.
E*quiv"a*lent (?), a.
[L. aequivalens, -entis, p. pr. of aequivalere to have equal
power; aequus equal +
valere to be strong, be worth: cf. F.
équivalent. See Equal, and Valiant.]
1. Equal in worth or value, force, power, effect, import, and the like; alike in significance and value; of the
same import or meaning.
For now to serve and
to minister, servile and ministerial, are terms equivalent.
South. 2. (Geom.)
Equal in measure but not admitting of superposition; -- applied to magnitudes; as, a square may
be equivalent to a triangle.
3. (Geol.) Contemporaneous in origin; as, the equivalent strata of different countries.
Hear it pronounced