myEtymology.com: English etymology of equivalent

Etymology of the English word equivalent

the English word equivalent

derived from the French word équivalent

derived from the Latin word aequivalens (equivalent, of equal value or significance)

derived from the Latin word aequivalere (have equal power, be equivalent)

derived from the Late Latin word valere (be strong, powerful, influential; farewell, goodbye, adieu)

derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *wal-

using the Latin prefix aequi-

derived from the Latin word aequus (level, even, equal)

derived from the Latin word aequum (level ground; equal footing, terms)

The earliest known usage of equivalent in English dates from the 15th century.

Word found in Modern English