equivalency
9
6.3
- noun
- /ɪˈkwɪvələnsɪ/
- Formal
:
equivalencia
- The Louisiana High School Equivalency Examination consists of 300 multiple choice questions.
- Equivalency Diploma
- equivalency certificate
- equivalency program
Examples
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I'm taking my high school equivalency test on Friday.
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TOTAL ACCESS provides ESL, citizen instruction, and basic literacy and high school equivalency classes for new immigrants.
Academic text (2002) -
I passed the equivalency test.
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I took the equivalency test.
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I was thinking of maybe trying for my high school equivalency.
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Well, she came up with the idea of me taking the high school equivalency exam.
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The younger brother earned his high school equivalency diploma after some academic difficulties and is now employed.
Academic text (2000) -
Many (more than 25%) come to this college with a high school equivalency diploma, never having finished high school.
Academic text (1997) -
He's studying for his General Equivalency Diploma and plans to enter technical school.
Fiction book (1996) -
I earned my high school equivalency diploma after passing the test.
Surface Forms
Morphology
equivalency = equivalent (semi-transparent) = equivalent + ency
The form is a standard noun from 'equivalent', but the sense 'an official recognition or certificate' is a metonymic/administrative extension not directly predictable from the adjective.
Etymology
Equivalency comes from an old Latin word aequus meaning 'equal', and you can see the same idea in the English word equal. So an equivalency is like an official note or decision that says one qualification is 'equal' to another.