equable

equable — [ek′wə bəl, ē′kwəbəl] adj. [L aequabilis < aequare, to make equal < aequus, EQUAL] 1. not varying or fluctuating much; steady; uniform [an equable temperature] 2. not readily upset; even; tranquil; serene [an equable temperament] SYN.… …   English World dictionary

Equable — E qua*ble (?; 277), a. [L. aequabilis, fr. aequare to make level or equal, fr. aequus even, equal. See {Equal}.] 1. Equal and uniform; continuing the same at different times; said of motion, and the like; uniform in surface; smooth; as, an… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

equable — equable, equitable Both words come from Latin aequus meaning ‘equal’, but their meanings are different. Equable means ‘even and moderate, regular’ and is typically used with words such as climate, disposition, and temperament. It denotes… …   Modern English usage

equable — index agreed (harmonized), coextensive, comparable (equivalent), consistent, consonant, equal, h …   Law dictionary

equable — 1670s, back formation from EQUABILITY (Cf. equability) or else from L. aequabilis equal, consistent, uniform, from aequare make uniform (see EQUATE (Cf. equate)) …   Etymology dictionary

equable — even, constant, *steady, uniform Analogous words: regular, *orderly, methodical, systematic: invariable, immutable, unchangeable (see affirmative adjectives at CHANGEABLE): *same, equal, equivalent Antonyms: variable, changeable Contrasted words …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

equable — [adj] steady, calm agreeable, composed, consistent, constant, easy going, even, even tempered, imperturbable, level headed, methodical, orderly, placid, regular, serene, smooth, stabile, stable, systematic, temperate, tranquil, unchanging,… …   New thesaurus

equable — ► ADJECTIVE 1) calm and even tempered. 2) not varying or fluctuating greatly. DERIVATIVES equability noun equably adverb. ORIGIN Latin aequabilis, from aequare make equal …   English terms dictionary

equable — [[t]e̱kwəb(ə)l[/t]] 1) ADJ GRADED 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... He was a fine person to work with …   English dictionary

equable — eq|ua|ble [ˈekwəbəl] adj [Date: 1500 1600; : Latin; Origin: aequabilis, from aequare; EQUATE] 1.) formal someone who is equable remains calm and happy and does not often get annoyed ▪ a young man with a naturally equable temperament 2.) technical …   Dictionary of contemporary English

equable —  , equitable  Most dictionaries define equable as meaning steady and unvarying, but it should also convey the sense of being remote from extremes. A consistently hot climate is not equable, no matter how unvarying the temperature. Similarly,… …   Bryson’s dictionary for writers and editors