English
egal
Egal comes from Old French egal, from Latin aequālis ‘equal, like’, and ultimately from Old Latin aiquos.
- Old Latinc. 700–75 BCEaiquos
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEaequus‘equal, even’
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEaequālis‘equal, like’
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400egal
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500same form‘equal, equivalent’
- Englishearliest quotation c. 1596–1598same form
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Earlier history uncertain.
Lineage
- Old Latinc. 700–75 BCEaiquos
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEaequus‘equal, even’
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEaequālis‘equal, like’
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400egal
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500same form‘equal, equivalent’
- Englishearliest quotation c. 1596–1598same form
Earliest quotation: c. 1596–1598, William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice: “Whose souls do bear an egal yoke of love”.
Linked words
through Old Latin aiquos
inequality, inequitable, 12 more
through Latin aequus ‘equal, even’
equity, equation, equality, equitable, equate, 14 more
through Latin aequālis ‘equal, like’
Today it means
adj Equal; impartial.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Old Latin aiquos / egal