a. [ L. aequalis, fr. aequus even, equal; akin to Skr. &unr_;ka, and perh. to L. unus for older oinos one, E. one. ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Bearing a suitable relation; of just proportion; having competent power, abilities, or means; adequate; as, he is not equal to the task. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Scots trusted not their own numbers as equal to fight with the English. Clarendon. [ 1913 Webster ]

It is not permitted to me to make my commendations equal to your merit. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Whose voice an equal messenger
Conveyed thy meaning mild. Emerson. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Not variable; equable; uniform; even; as, an equal movement. “An equal temper.” Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Evenly balanced; not unduly inclining to either side; characterized by fairness; unbiased; impartial; equitable; just. [ 1913 Webster ]

Are not my ways equal? Ezek. xviii. 29. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thee, O Jove, no equal judge I deem. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nor think it equal to answer deliberate reason with sudden heat and noise. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Of the same interest or concern; indifferent. [ 1913 Webster ]

They who are not disposed to receive them may let them alone or reject them; it is equal to me. Cheyne. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Mus.) Intended for voices of one kind only, either all male or all female; -- opposed to mixed. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

7. (Math.) Exactly agreeing with respect to quantity. [ 1913 Webster ]

Equal temperament. (Mus.) See Temperament.

Syn. -- Even; equable; uniform; adequate; proportionate; commensurate; fair; just; equitable. [ 1913 Webster ]

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.” [ 1913 Webster ]

Those who were once his equals envy and defame him. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. State of being equal; equality. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Equaled r 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&unr_;urate with. [ 1913 Webster ]

On me whose all not equals Edward's moiety. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To make equal return to; to recompense fully. [ 1913 Webster ]

Who answered all her cares, and equaled all her love. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To make equal or equal to; to equalize; hence, to compare or regard as equals; to put on equality. [ 1913 Webster ]

He would not equal the mind that he found in himself to the infinite and incomprehensible. Berkeley. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. p. p. of equalise; same as equalized. [ British ]
Syn. -- equalized. [ PJC ]

n. 1. (Electronics) an electronic circuit which reduces frequency distortion.
Syn. -- equalizer. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. an equivalent counterbalancing weight.
Syn. -- counterweight, counterbalance, counterpoise, balance, equalizer. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. One who believes in equalizing the condition of men; a leveler. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. the doctrine of the equality of mankind and the desirability of political and economic and social equality.
Syn. -- egalitarianism. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

A footing of equality with nobles. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Sameness in state or continued course; evenness; uniformity; as, an equality of temper or constitution. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Evenness; uniformity; as, an equality of surface. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Confessional equality. See under Confessional. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of equalizing, or state of being equalized. [ 1913 Webster ]

Their equalization with the rest of their fellow subjects. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Equalized p. pr. & vb. n. Equalizing ] [ Cf. F. égaliser. ] 1. To make equal; to cause to correspond, or be like, in amount or degree as compared; as, to equalize accounts, burdens, or taxes. [ 1913 Webster ]

One poor moment can suffice
To equalize the lofty and the low. Wordsworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

No system of instruction will completely equalize natural powers. Whately. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To pronounce equal; to compare as equal. [ 1913 Webster ]

Which we equalize, and perhaps would willingly prefer to the Iliad. Orrery. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To be equal to; equal; to match. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

It could not equalize the hundredth part
Of what her eyes have kindled in my heart. Waller. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]