equable, a.
(ˈiːk-, ˈɛkwəb(ə)l)
Also 7–8 æquable.
[ad. L. æquābilis, f. æquāre to make level or equal, f. æquus equal.]
1. Uniform, free from fluctuation or variation. a. Of motions or continuous phenomena: Maintaining a constant level of speed or intensity. † Also of periods of time: uniform in duration.
| 1677 Hale Prim. Orig. Man. ii. ix. 224, 25 Apocatastases annorum, which amounted to 36525 equable Years. 1726 tr. Gregory's Astron. I. iii. 405 The apparent Motion of the Sun will be equable. 1799 Med. Jrnl. I. 279 The pulse slower, more uniform and equable. 1808 J. Webster Nat. Phil. 29 Its parallels express the equable time of motion. 1811 A. T. Thomson Lond. Disp. (1818) Introd. 28 Mercury is the liquid best adapted for thermometers; its expansion being most equable. 1812 Woodhouse Astron. xviii. 188 Kepler's discovery of the equable description of areas. 1850 Grote Greece ii. lvi. (1862) V. 72 The slow, solemn, and equable march of the troops. |
b. Of temperature: Free from extremes (or sudden changes) of heat and cold.
| 1807 Med. Jrnl. XVII. 292 Those parts of the kingdom where they may enjoy the most equable state of temperature. 1860 Maury Phys. Geog. Sea xvii. §728 Thus the equable climates of Western Europe are accounted for. |
c. Of the feelings, mind, temper, etc.: Even, not easily disturbed. Of a course of events: Free from vicissitudes, tranquil. Of literary style: Maintaining a constant level, uniform.
| 1796 Burke Regic. Peace Wks. 1842 II. 341 [Military ardour] is a cool, steady, deliberate principle, always present, always equable. 1814 Wordsw. Laodamia xvii, In worlds whose course is equable and pure. 1836 J. H. Newman Par. Serm. (1837) III. xxiii. 375 A calm and equable piety. 1855 Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. 468 His oratory was more correct and equable than theirs. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) I. Introd. 12 It [a translation] should be..equable in style. 1876 Black Madcap V. xvi. 140 An equable temper is the greatest gift a man can possess. |
2. Free from inequalities; uniform throughout its extent or range of operation; equally proportioned.
| 1692 Bentley Boyle Lect. viii. Wks. 1838 III. 193 They would have the vast body of a planet..to be every where smooth and equable. 1812 Sir H. Davy Chem. Philos. 233 Elastic fluids have a tendency to rapid equable mixture. 1838 Thirlwall Greece V. xlii. 205 A new valuation..with a view to a more equable system of taxation. 1845 Carlyle Cromwell II. viii. 69 A more equable division of representatives. 1847 Disraeli Tancred iii. iv, A rich subdued and equable tint overspread this visage. 1854 Ronalds & Richardson Chem. Technol. (ed. 2) I. 205 A channel of equable diameter. |
† 3. Characterized by justice or fairness; = equitable. Obs.
| 1643 Sir T. Browne Relig. Med. ii. §13 Becomming equable to others, I become unjust to myself. [1839: cf. equably.] |