e poch-making ADJ [usu ADJ n] An epoch-making change or declaration is considered to be extremely important because it is likely to have a significant effect on a particular period of time. □ It was meant to sound like an epoch-making declaration. □ …an event of epoch-making significance in American political history.
epony|mous / I pɒ n I məs/ ADJ [ADJ n] An eponymous hero or heroine is the character in a play or book whose name is the title of that play or book. [FORMAL ]
epoxy / I pɒ ksi/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Epoxy resin or adhesive contains an artificial substance which sets hard when it is heated or when pressure is applied to it.
Ep|som salts /e psəm sɔː lts/ N‑UNCOUNT Epsom salts is a kind of white powder which you can mix with water and drink as a medicine to help you empty your bowels.
EQ /iː kjuː / (EQs ) N‑VAR A person's EQ is a measure of their interpersonal and communication skills. EQ is an abbreviation for 'emotional quotient'. Compare IQ . □ Guy was elected leader and then found to have the highest EQ on a nominal measure.
eq|uable /e kwəb ə l/ ADJ If you describe someone as equable , you mean that they are calm, cheerful, and fair with other people, even in difficult circumstances. □ He was a man of the most equable temper. ● eq|uably ADV [ADV after v] □ She wasn't prepared to respond equably to Richardson's mood, and she spoke curtly.
equal ◆◇◇ /iː kwəl/ (equals , equalling , equalled ) in AM, use equaling , equaled 1 ADJ If two things are equal or if one thing is equal to another, they are the same in size, number, standard, or value. □ [+ to ] Investors can borrow an amount equal to the property's purchase price. □ …in a population having equal numbers of men and women. □ Research and teaching are of equal importance.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If different groups of people have equal rights or are given equal treatment, they have the same rights or are treated the same as each other, however different they are. □ We will be justly demanding equal rights at work. □ …the commitment to equal opportunities. □ …new legislation allowing companies to compete on equal terms.
3 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you say that people are equal , you mean that they have or should have the same rights and opportunities as each other. □ We are equal in every way. □ At any gambling game, everyone is equal.
4 N‑COUNT Someone who is your equal has the same ability, status, or rights as you have. □ She was one of the boys, their equal. □ You should have married somebody more your equal.
5 ADJ If someone is equal to a particular job or situation, they have the necessary ability, strength, or courage to deal successfully with it. □ [+ to ] She was determined that she would be equal to any test the corporation put to them.
6 V‑LINK If something equals a particular number or amount, it is the same as that amount or the equivalent of that amount. □ [V amount] 9 percent interest less 7 percent inflation equals 2 percent.
7 VERB To equal something or someone means to be as good or as great as them. □ [V n] The victory equalled Southend's best in history.
8 PHRASE If you say ' other things being equal ' or ' all things being equal ' when talking about a possible situation, you mean if nothing unexpected happens or if there are no other factors which affect the situation. □ Other things being equal, most tenants would prefer single to shared rooms. SYNONYMS equal ADJ
1
identicaclass="underline" The two parties fought the last election on almost identical manifestos.
equivalent: Calls for equivalent wage increases are bound to be heard.
the same: Bihar had a population roughly the same as that of England.
uniform: The price rises will not be uniform across the country.
2
fair: I wanted them to get a fair deal.
even-handed: The administration wants to ensure the meetings appear even-handed.
equitable: We believe you can redistribute this money in a way that's equitable.
equali|ty / I kwɒ l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT Equality is the same status, rights, and responsibilities for all the members of a society, group, or family. □ [+ of ] …equality of the sexes.
equal|ize /iː kwəla I z/ (equalizes , equalizing , equalized ) in BRIT, also use equalise 1 VERB To equalize a situation means to give everyone the same rights or opportunities, for example in education, wealth, or social status. □ [V n] Such measures are needed to equalize wage rates between countries. ● equali|za|tion /iː kwəla I ze I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the equalization of parenting responsibilities between men and women.
2 VERB In sports such as football, if a player equalizes , he or she scores a goal that makes the scores of the two teams equal. [BRIT ] □ [V ] Keegan equalized with only 16 minutes remaining. □ [V n] They showed little sign of equalising the Portsmouth striker's glorious 55th-minute shot.
equal|iz|er /iː kwəla I zə r / (equalizers ) also equaliser N‑COUNT [usu sing] In sports such as football, an equalizer is a goal or a point that makes the scores of the two teams equal. [BRIT ]
equal|ly ◆◇◇ /iː kwəli/
1 ADV [ADV after v, ADV -ed] Equally means in sections, amounts, or spaces that are the same size as each other. □ He asked that his property be divided equally between his sons. □ Try to eat at least three meals a day, at equally spaced intervals.
2 ADV [ADV adj/adv, ADV before v] Equally means to the same degree or extent. □ All these techniques are equally effective. □ Success doesn't only depend on what you do. What you don't do is equally important.