Coequals

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Having equal status or rank in a particular context or organization
2. Referring to individuals or entities that share the same level of authority or importance
3. Denoting parties that are considered on par with each other in terms of contribution or influence

Etymology: "Coequals" is the plural of "coequal", a word for people or things that hold the same rank or standing as one another. The singular came into English from Middle English "coequalle", borrowed from Late Latin "coaequalis", itself built from "co-", meaning "together" or "jointly", and "aequalis", meaning "equal". Its parts therefore state the idea directly: a coequal is someone equal alongside another. The "co-" prefix does the work here. It attaches to many English words to mark sharing, as in "coexist" or "cooperate", and it lets "coequal" describe a status held jointly by several members rather than a simple comparison between two. That is why the plural suits a group of fellow members who all stand on the same footing.

Synonyms: equals, peers, colleagues

Antonyms: inferiors, subordinates