different between equal vs sufficient

English

Alternative forms

• æqual (archaic), æquall (archaic)

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin aequ?lis, of unknown origin. Doublet of egal.

Pronunciation

• enPR: ?k'w?l, IPA^(key): /?i?kw?l/
• Rhymes: -i?kw?l

Adjective

equal (not generally comparable, comparative more equal, superlative most equal)

1. (not comparable) The same in all respects.
   • 1705, George Cheyne, The Philosophical Principles of Religion Natural and Revealed

     They who are not disposed to receive them may let them alone or reject them; it is equal to me.

2. (mathematics, not comparable) Exactly identical, having the same value.
3. (obsolete) Fair, impartial.
   • Are not my ways equal?
4. (comparable) Adequate; sufficiently capable or qualified.
   • 1881, Jane Austen, Emma, page 311

     her comprehension was certainly more equal to the covert meaning, the superior intelligence, of those five letters so arranged.

   • much less is it in my power to make my commendations equal to your merits.

   • 1842, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Threnody

     […] whose voice an equal messenger / Conveyed thy meaning mild.

5. (obsolete) Not variable; equable; uniform; even.

   • an equal temper

6. (music) Intended for voices of one kind only, either all male or all female; not mixed.

Usage notes

• In mathematics, this adjective can be used in phrases like "A and B are equal", "A is equal to B", and, less commonly, "A is equal with B".
• The most common comparative use is the ironic expression more equal.

Synonyms

• (the same in all respects): identical
• (the same in all relevant respects): equivalent
• (unvarying): even, fair, uniform, unvarying

Translations

Verb

equal (third-person singular simple present equals, present participle (Commonwealth) equalling or (US) equaling, simple past and past participle (Commonwealth) equalled or (US) equaled)

1. (mathematics, copulative) To be equal to, to have the same value as; to correspond to.

2. (transitive) To make equivalent to; to cause to match.

3. (informal) To have as its consequence.

Synonyms

• (to be equal to): be, is
• (informal, have as its consequence): entail, imply, lead to, mean, result in, spell

Translations

Noun

equal (plural equals)

1. A person or thing of equal status to others.

   • Those who were once his equals envy and defame him.
2. (obsolete) State of being equal; equality.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Spenser to this entry?)

Synonyms

• (person or thing of equal status to others): peer

Derived terms

Related terms

• equality

Translations

Anagrams

• Quale, quale, queal

English

Alternative forms

• suff. (abbreviation)

Etymology

From Old French sufisanz, soficient, from Latin suffici?ns, present participle of suffici?.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /s??f???nt/
• Hyphenation: suf?fi?cient
• Rhymes: -???nt

Adjective

sufficient (comparative more sufficient, superlative most sufficient)

1. Equal to the end proposed; adequate to what is needed; enough

   Synonyms: ample, competent

2. Possessing adequate talents or accomplishments; of competent power or ability; qualified; fit.

   A two-week training course is sufficient to get a job in the coach-driving profession.

3. (archaic) Capable of meeting obligations; responsible.
   • 1668, Samuel Pepys, Diary of Samuel Pepys December 23 1668

     ...to take the best ways we can, to make it known to the Duke of York; for, till Sir J. Minnes be removed, and a sufficient man brought into W. Pen's place, when he is gone, it is impossible for this Office ever to support itself.

4. (obsolete) Having enough money to meet obligations and live comfortably.

Antonyms

• insufficient
• nonsufficient
• unsufficient

Derived terms

• self-sufficient
• sufficiency
• sufficiently

Related terms

• suffice

Translations

See also

• adequate
• ample
• enough
• plenty

Determiner

sufficient

1. The smallest amount needed.

   Sufficient of us are against this idea that we should stop now.

Translations

Further reading

• sufficient in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• sufficient in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• sufficient at OneLook Dictionary Search

Latin

Verb

sufficient

1. third-person plural future active indicative of suffici?