different between identical vs identity

English

Etymology

From identic +? -al.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??d?nt?kl?/, /a??d?nt?kl?/
• Hyphenation: i?den?ti?cal

Adjective

identical (comparative more identical, superlative most identical)

1. (not comparable) Bearing full likeness by having precisely the same set of characteristics; indistinguishable.
2. (not comparable) Not different or other; not another or others; not different as regards self; selfsame; numerically identical.
3. (not comparable, biology) Of twins, sharing the same genetic code.
4. (not comparable, mathematics) Exactly equivalent.
5. (comparable, rare) Approximating or approaching exact equivalence.
   • 1788, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, The Federalist, XLI:

     The terms of Article 8th are still more identical.

• For more quotations using this term, see Citations:identical.

Usage notes

• In mathematics, this adjective can be used in phrases like "A and B are identical", "A is identical to B", and, less commonly, "A is identical with B".
• Adverbs often used with "identical": absolutely, almost, nearly, practically, virtually, substantially.

Synonyms

• (bearing full likeness): same
• (selfsame): same, selfsame

Antonyms

• contrasting
• different
• distinct
• non-identical

Coordinate terms

• (of twins): dizygotic

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

Noun

identical (plural identicals)

1. (usually pluralized, chiefly philosophy) Something which has exactly the same properties as something else.
2. An identical twin.

Derived terms

• indiscernibility of identicals

References

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

Anagrams

• ctenidial, diclinate, dinetical

English

Etymology

Middle French identité, from Latin idem (“the same”). See identical and idem.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /a??d?nt?ti/

Noun

identity (countable and uncountable, plural identities)

1. Sameness, identicalness; the quality or fact of (several specified things) being the same.
   • 1997, Hydrothermal Vent Fauna, in Advances in Marine Biology: The Biogeography of the Oceans, page 111:

     […] suggesting the two are different stages of the same species. The identity of the two species is further suggested by allozyme analysis […]

2. The difference or character that marks off an individual or collective from the rest of the same kind, selfhood, sense of who something or someone or oneself is, or the recurring characteristics that enable the recognition of such an individual or group by others or themself.

   I've been through so many changes, I have no sense of identity.

   This nation has a strong identity.

   (The addition of quotations indicative of this usage is being sought:)

3. A name or persona—a mask or appearance one presents to the world—by which one is known.

   This criminal has taken on several identities.

4. (mathematics) An equation which always holds true regardless of the choice of input variables.
5. (algebra, computing) Any function which maps all elements of its domain to themselves.
6. (algebra) An element of an algebraic structure which, when applied to another element under an operation in that structure, yields this second element.
7. (Australia, New Zealand) A well-known or famous person.
   • 1887 July 19, "Drowned at Williamstown", The Age (Melbourne)

     The body of a well known old identity named James Conroy […] was found in the water yesterday afternoon…

   • 2013 April 4, "Cricket identities consult lawyers", New Zealand Herald
   • 2016 January 13, "Kings Cross identities arrested in connection with murder", The Sydney Morning Herald

Synonyms

• (sameness): See also Thesaurus:sameness
• (difference that marks off an individual): individuality, selfhood; see also Thesaurus:selfhood
• (mathematical function): identity function
• (famous person): celebrity, personality

Hyponyms

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

References

• identity at OneLook Dictionary Search
• identity in Keywords for Today: A 21st Century Vocabulary, edited by The Keywords Project, Colin MacCabe, Holly Yanacek, 2018.
• identity in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• identity in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.