equipoise 
The life which is, ami that which is to come, 
Suspended hunt: in such nice equipoise, 
A breath disturbs the balance. 
LongftUow, Golden Legend, ii. 
2. A balancing weight or force; a counter- 
poise. [Bare.] 
From that moment the Scotch aristocracy began to de- 
cline ; and, the equipoise to the clergy being removed, the 
Church became so powerful that during the seventeenth 
and eighteenth centuries it was the most effectual obsta- 
cle to the progress of Scotland. Buckle, Civilization, II. ii. 
equipollence, equipollency (e-kwi-pol'ens, 
-en-si), n. [Formerly also equivalence, a-quipol- 
lence; < ME. eqmpolence = F. tquipottence = 
Sp. equipolencia = Pg. cqitipollencia = It. equi- 
pollenza, < ML. as if "aiquipollentia, < LL. <equl- 
pollen(t-)s, having equal power: see equipol- 
lent.] 1. Equality of power or force. 
These phenomena do much depend upon a mechanical 
cequipollence of pressure. Boyle, Works, III. 61'2. 
2. In logic, identity of meaning of two or more 
propositions. 
And if he have noon sich pitaunces, 
Late him study in equipolenceft, 
And late lies and fallaces. Rom. of the Rose. 
The Immediate inference of equipollence is merely the 
grammatical translation of an affirmation into a double 
negation, or of a double negation into an affirmation. 
Sir W. Hamilton. 
3. In ntath., equality of length with parallel- 
ism of direction. 
equipollent (e-kwi-pol'ent), a. [ME. equipo- 
lent, < OF. equipolent, F" equipollent = Sp. equi- 
polente = Pg. It. equipo/lente, < LL. cequipol- 
Un(t-)s (ML. erroneously (equipolen(t-)s), hav- 
ing equal power, equivalent, < L. cequus, equal, 
+ pollen(t-)s, ppr. of pollerc, be strong.] 1. 
Having equal power or force ; equivalent. 
Superstition is now so well advanced that men of the 
first blood are as firm as butchers by occupation ; and vo- 
tary resolution is made equipollent to custom, even in mat- 
ter of blood. Bacon, Custom and Education (ed. 1887). 
2. In logic, having the same meaning: applied 
to two propositions. 3. In math., equal and 
parallel. 
equipollently (e-kwi-pol'ent-li), adv. With 
equal power. 
Both the spirit of God and the power of God St. Paul 
doth equipoUentltj express by the power of the Holy Ghost. 
Barrow, Sermons, I. xxxiv. 
equiponderance, equiponderancy (e-kwi- 
pon'der-ans, -an-si), n. [= F. equiponderance 
= Pg. eqitiponderancia = It. equiponderanza ; 
as equiponderant + -ce.] Equality of weight; 
equipoise. 
equiponderant (e-kwi-pon'der-ant), a. [= F. 
equiponderant = Sp. Pg. It. equiponderants, < 
ML. wquiponderan(t-)s, ppr. of (equipondernre, 
regard as equal, compare: see equiponderate.] 
1 .Being of the same weight ; evenly balanced ; 
in a state of equipoise. 
Suppose in the two scales of a balance there was placed 
two equally capacious and tquipondirant phials. 
Boyle, Works, III. 633. 
2. Of equal weight, force, or influence. 
1986 
Equlpotentlal line, n line drawn on an eqnipotential 
surface : one along which the potential is everywhere the 
same. Thus, if two points in an electrically equipoten- 
Equipotential Lines about two similarly electrified spheres. A and 
R. the quantities of electricity being as 2 : i. The lines of force are 
also shown radiating from the spheres. (Maxwell.} 
tial line he joined by a conductor, no flow through the 
conductor will take place. Equipotential surface, a 
surface throughout which the potential (see potential) is 
everywhere the same ; one which is everywhere perpen- 
dicular to the lines of force which it meets. If a particle 
were subject to the attractions and repulsions of a num- 
ber of bodies that were held motionless, there would be 
a resultant force upon it in some certain direction. If, 
while held so that it could not acquire momentum, it 
were either allowed to move as urged by the resultant 
force or compelled to move directly counter thereto, it 
would describe a course, called a line of force, having an 
attracting body at one extremity and a repelling one at 
the other, or else passing off to infinity in one direction or 
the other. Through every point of space there woxild be 
such a line ; and a surface so bending as to be everywhere 
perpendicular to these lines of force would be an equipo- 
tentinl or leeel surface. If such a surface were to be ren- 
dered impenetrable, the particle could lie upon it without 
tendency to move along it in any direction. Similarly, if 
any two points of an electrically equipotential surface are 
joined by a conductor, no flow will take place. The term 
equipotential is most generally used as applying to elec- 
trical or magnetic forces, but is also extended to gravita- 
tion, or forces having any origin whatever. 
equiprobabilist (e-kwi-prob'a-bil-ist), n. [< 
L. a'qitus, equal, + probabilis, probable, + -1st.] 
In Bom. C'ath. theol., one of a school of casu- 
ists. See the extract. 
Equiprobabilintif, who teach that in a balance of opin- 
ions the less safe opinion may be lawfully followed, pro- 
vided it be as probable, or nearly as probable, as its oppo- 
site. Encyc. Brit., XIV. 686. 
equirotal (e-kwi-ro'tal), a. [< L. (equus, equal, 
+ rota, a wheel, + -al.] Having wheels of the 
same size or diameter ; having equal rotation. 
6quis6 (a-kwe-za'), a. In her., same as aiguise. 
equisegmental (e"kwi-seg-meu'tal), a. [< L. 
a'qitus, equal, + E. segmental.] In math., hav- 
ing equal segments : applied to two lines such 
that to any segment of the one corresponds an 
equal segment of the other. 
Having accurately weighed the reasons, ... I find 
them . . . nearly equiponderant. 
Johnson, Rambler, No. 1. 
equiponderate (e-kwi-pon'der-at), v. ; pret. and 
pp. equiponderated, ppr. equiponderating. [< 
ML. cequiponderare, tr., regard as equal, com- 
pare (= It. equipondernre = Sp. Pg. equipon- 
derar), < L. (equus, equal, + ponderare, weigh : 
see ponder.'] I. intrans. To be equal in weight ; 
weigh as much as another thing. [Bare.] 
The evidence on each side doth emiiponderate. 
Bp. Wilkins, Natural Religion, i. t. 
II. trans. To weigh as much as in an oppo- 
site scale; counterbalance. 
More than equiponderated the declension In that direc- 
tion. De Quineey. 
equiponderoust (e-kwi-pon'der-us), a. [< L. 
ceqiius, equal, + pondus (ponder-), weight : see 
ponderous.] Having equal weight. Bailey. 
equipondioust (e-kwi-pon'di-us), a. [< L. 
(nquipondium, an equal weight, counterpoise, < 
irqiins, equal, + pondus, a weight.] Having 
equal weight on both sides. 
The Scepticks affected an indifferent equipondious neu- 
trality. GlanviUe, Seep. Sci., xxiii. 
equipotential (e " kwi - po - ten ' shal), a. [< L. 
i/'i/i/ us, equal, + potentia, power: see poten- 
tial.] Inphysics, connected with a single value 
of the potential. See potential. 
These planes and their bounding line around the moun- 
tain are called with respect to gravitation equipatfntinl 
planes and equipotential Hues. 
J. Trowbridge, New Physics, p. 164. 
, sheath crowned with teeth; *, 
Clypeola, bearing sporangia. 3. 
(Fr ra Le 
equitable 
Equisetaceae (ek"wi-se-ta'se-e), n. pi. [NL., 
< Equisetum + -arcit:~] A very distinct natural 
order of vascular cryptogamous plants. Peren- 
nial, solid, running rootstocks are present in most rasi-s, 
producing usually upright hollow stems with a grooved 
surface. In addition to the central canal of the latter, 
there is near the surface a circle of smaller canals (val- 
licular canals), opposite to the grooves (valliculic) which 
mark the surface. Opposite the ridges is another set of 
still smaller cavities (carinal canals). The stomata are in 
the grooves, in some species forming a row on each side 
of the groove. The cuticle of the stem in many species 
contains a large amount of silica. The stem is jointed, 
and the central canal is intercepted by a partition (dia- 
phragm) at each joint. Each joint bears at its upper end 
a circle of leaves which are united to form a sheath, while 
their tips project as teeth, which are deciduous in some 
species, in others persistent. Branches, when present, 
are formed in whorls at the joints of the stem, which they 
resemble, except in the absence of the central canal ; and 
these may be again branched. The stems are either peren- 
nial and evergreen or annual. The fructification, borne 
either by the vegetative stems or by special fruiting stems, 
is a terminal conical structure whose central axis bears nu- 
merous angular, shield-shaped bodies (clypeolas) attached 
by horizontal pedicels. Each clypeola bears from 6 to 9 spo- 
rangia, which open on their inner side and discharge their 
spores. The spores are spherical. The outer coat breaks 
into four slender, club-shaped filaments (elaters), which 
are attached to one side of the spore, and are coiled about 
it when moist, uncurling when dry. Their elasticity aids 
the discharge of the spores from the sporangia, and favors 
distribution.. The germination- of the spores results in ir- 
regularly lobed dicecious prothallia above ground. Equi- 
Sfttim is the only genus. See cut in preceding column. 
equisetaceous (ek"wi-se-ta'shius), a. In bot., 
pertaining to the Eq-uisetaccce. 
equisetic (ek-wi-se'tik), a. [< Eqiiisetmn + -ic.] 
In diem., pertaining to, existing in, or derived 
from Equisetum Equlsetic acid. Same as acimitie 
acid (which see, under aconitic). 
equisetif brm (ek-wi-se ' ti-f 6rm), a. [< NL. Eqni- 
sctum + L. forma, shape.] Having the form of 
Equisetum; resembling Equisetum. 
Equisetites (ek"wi-se-ti'tez), n. [NL., < Equi- 
setum + -ites.] A genus of fossil plants, be- 
longing to the Calamario!, an order represented 
at the present time by the Eqttisetaceai (which 
see). This genus, although now of little importance, 
was once most widely distributed, and formed a very con- 
spicuous portion of the flora of the earth, especially dur- 
ing the Carboniferous and Triassic periods. There is much 
difficulty in classifying the fossil Equisetaceae, in conse- 
quence of the imperfect preservation of important por- 
tions of the specimens studied. By some authors the 
genus Equisetites is not admitted as having been clearly 
established. Some also retain the name Equisetaccce (in- 
stead of Calamaria?) for the fossil order, as well as for the 
recent. 
Equisetum (ek-wi-se'tum), . [NL., < L. equi- 
scetum, -steta, -sa>tis, < equus, a horse, + seta, 
sa:ta, a bristle.] A genus of plants, constitut- 
ing alone the order Equisetaceae There are about 
25 species known, of which 8 are found ill Great Britain 
and 13 in North America, some being common to both 
countries. The cuticle abounds in silica, on which ac- 
count the stems of some species are used for polishing 
wood and metal. Equisetum hiemale, the gcouring-rush, 
is best suited for this purpose, and is largely imported 
into England from the Netherlands. The species of Equi- 
setum are popularly called horsetails. See cut in preced- 
ing column. 
equisided (e'kwi-si-ded), a. [< L. (equus, equal, 
+ E. sidel + -e(ft.] Equilateral. [Bare.] 
equison (ek'wi-son), n. [< L. eqniso(n-), a 
groom, stable-boy, < eqmts, a horse : see 
Equus.] A horse-jockey; one who manages 
race-horses. [Bare.] 
Who announces to the world the works and days of 
Newmarket, the competitors at its games, their horses, 
their equisons, and colours. Landor, Southeyand Porson. 
equisonance(e'kwi-s6-nans),. [Formerly also 
teqitixonance ; = F. equisonnance ; < eqmsonant.] 
In fine, and medieval music, such consonance as 
that of the unison, the octave, or the double oc- 
tave. 
equisonant (e'kwi-so-nant), a. [Formerly also 
(equisonant; < L. ceqnus, equal, + sonan(t-)s, 
ppr. of sonare, sound: see sonant."] In music, 
unisonal or consonant in the octave or double 
octave. 
equitable (ek'wi-ta-bl), a. [< F. equitable = 
Sp. equitable; as equity + -able.] 1. Accord- 
ing to the principles of equity ; just and right 
under all the circumstances of the particular 
case; fair and equal : as, an equitable decision ; 
an equitable distribution. 
The law of Moses did allow of retaliation in case of real 
injuries, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth ; and so, by 
an equitable construction of the law, it may extend to per- 
sonal affronts. Stillintijlrrt, Works, IV. vii. 
I can demand it as my right by the most emtitable law in 
nature. Goldsmith, To Edward Mills. 
2. Pertaining to or dependent upon strict equi- 
ty or justice ; regarding or relating to abstract 
ght 'in individual cases : applied in law to the 
administration of justice by COUrtS of equity, 
and to the principles established and methods 
